Skagit County to launch Guemes Island Ferry e-ticketing March 19; in-person help desks planned

Skagit County Public Works officials said the county will switch the Guemes Island Ferry to a fully electronic ticketing system on March 19, and staff will provide in-person help at the Anacortes terminal during the first days of the launch.

“...we are transitioning to a fully electronic ticketing system next week,” Rachel Rowe, Ferry Operations Division manager, said during a March 11 presentation to the Skagit County Board of County Commissioners. Rowe and Public Works interim director Mike See walked through how the app and web purchases will work and what riders should expect during a planned dry-dock period for the vehicle ferry.

The presentation said the system’s new fares took effect Feb. 26 and that convenience passes no longer carry a 90-day expiration; instead, “every ticket that we sell is good through the end of the year,” Rowe said. The county will continue to sell single-use and multi-ride paper tickets at the terminal for riders who prefer not to use a mobile app.

Officials described a phased launch and support plan: crew training will occur March 17–18, vehicle service on the vehicle ferry will be suspended for dry dock from March 15 through April 29, and staff will staff an on-site help desk the first three days after launch, March 19–21, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to assist riders with downloads, purchases and device issues. “We’re gonna have a live help desk in the lobby where you can come and bring your mobile device,” Rowe said.

Operational details explained during the demo included: the Guemes Island Ferry app (available in the Apple and Google Play stores), a web purchasing alternative that redirects payment processing to a third-party processor, and QR-code scanning by pursers as riders board. Steven, a representative from Anchor (the ticketing vendor), said the county’s selected payment processor requires a redirect to its web page during checkout for security reasons; the vendor will return the purchaser to the Anchor system once the payment completes.

Officials also reviewed fares and discounts: a senior/disabled walk-on fare was stated as $3.50 and an adult walk-on as $5.50; Rowe provided an example that a 25-trip senior pass costs $81 (about $6.50 less than paying 25 single senior fares). The county will continue a youth-ride-free program for riders aged 18 and younger; Rowe said youth rides are free and that the county is issuing free 25-trip youth passes so trips can be accurately tracked for state reimbursement.

Accessibility and special cases: Rowe said staff will assist riders who cannot enter the office during the dry dock, and ADA accommodation information and contact numbers are printed on the project brochure. For oversized vehicles, the online purchase option supports up to 60-foot vehicle entries; any additional length must be handled and paid for on-site by the purser. Staff said they will measure oversize vehicles at the terminal if needed and that sales are final.

Public outreach materials and troubleshooting: Rowe said printed brochures with app QR codes and step-by-step instructions will be available at the terminal. Anchor said it will supply about 200 plastic holders and lanyards for passengers who buy a convenience pass on paper and want a durable QR holder. Riders with purchase or email issues were instructed to contact ferrycomments@co.skagit.wa.us or the terminal phone at (360) 293-6433.

Why it matters: The change affects regular ferry riders, county departments that invoice through county accounts, and families using the youth-ride-free program. County staff said the new system will improve ridership data collection and allow better future planning for fares and capacity.

Rowe closed by urging riders to contact the ferry division with questions and noted that recordings and user guides from the presentation will be posted to the county’s website for later viewing.