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WSF to keep two extra vessels on standby, relax deployment rules for 2026 World Cup travel surge
Summary
To prepare for increased ridership during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, WSF plans to make 20 of 21 vessels available (two as backups), place extra crews at Eagle Harbor and relax certain deployment rules to speed responses to mechanical issues; officials said the measures should reduce cancellations but may prioritize central Puget Sound routes.
Washington State Ferries plans to have 20 of its 21 vessels ready for service during the June–July 2026 FIFA World Cup period, keeping two boats in backup status and stationing additional relief crews at Eagle Harbor to reduce cancellations and respond quickly to mechanical problems, officials said at the agency’s community meeting.
"We're planning to have 20 of our 21 vessels available for service during the World Cup," Forrest (panelist) said, adding that 18 boats are required for the regular summer sailing schedule so two extras act as contingency relief. The agency also said it may temporarily relax its usual 24‑hour rule for implementing service changes during the busy event window to deploy resources faster.
Service priorities and route impacts: WSF said it will focus extra staffing and reliability efforts on the busiest Central Puget Sound routes — Seattle–Bainbridge, Seattle–Bremerton and Edmonds–Kingston — and that those extra standby vessels should help protect service on other routes such as the San Juan Islands. Forrest acknowledged plans may shift and that vessel assignments are being finalized.
Vessel substitutions and schedule notes: An attendee asked about the Puyallup covering Seattle–Bremerton while other boats undergo maintenance; Forrest said the Puyallup is filling in until propellers for the Walla Walla are replaced this fall and that the Puyallup is planned to stay on Bremerton through the third week of June before returning to Edmonds–Kingston.
Reservations and equity questions: Panelists repeated that reservation policy choices are routed to demand‑management and legal constraints. John acknowledged public frustration with ticketing and reservation rollouts; he said a prior ticketing vendor contract was stopped after the agency concluded the system was not ready for public testing and that WSF will release a new RFI or procurement opportunity early in the summer.
What to expect this summer: WSF said additional terminal staff and standby crews will be positioned to manage crowds, that some routes will run dedicated three‑boat service (the triangle route is planned for three Issaquah‑class ferries through July) and that the agency will publish follow‑up material and pilot results as the season progresses.
