WHAT IS ISLANDERS FOR FERRY ACTION?
The Vashon Chamber of Commerce convened a working group in September, 2023, now called Islanders for Ferry Action (IFA). It's comprised of islanders dedicated to identifying and lobbying for solutions to chronic ferry service disruptions.
IFA recognizes that the causes of the service disruptions are deeply-rooted and have been a long time developing. We are committed to working together with policy makers and travelers not just on Vashon, but all ferry-served communities who want to participate to discover and implement creative, real-world solutions that will help Washington residents stay on the move.
BREAKING NEWS: GOV. FERGUSON ANNOUNCES RETURN OF FULL WSF SERVICE
Victory for Vashon: Years-Long Campaign Helps Restore Vashon Ferry Service
At a press conference this morning, Governor Bob Ferguson announced a major win for ferry-served communities: Washington State Ferries (WSF) will restore full service to domestic routes starting this June. That will include on the Triangle Route, including Vashon, Fauntleroy, and Southworth.
Islanders for Ferry Action thank the Governor for making this possible by delaying the planned electrification conversion of the remaining two Jumbo Mark II vessels, prioritizing urgently needed service restorations.
For Vashon Island and the broader Fix Our Ferries coalition, this is a game-changing victory. As outlined in WSF’s official August 2023 Service Restoration Plan, the Triangle Route (Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth) is designated as the first priority for full restoration—and that moment has arrived. Islanders can now look forward to more reliable service, reduced wait times, and a return to the ferry schedule that our community depends on.
TAKE ACTION: 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Legislature is in session, and it's time to advocate to fix and fund our ferries. One of the most powerful ways we can do that is contacting our legislators and telling our stories. Even if you're pressed for time, sending a email or leaving a voicemail for the representatives and senator in your district is incredibly important. Find district 34 legislators here: Vashon.
If you have more time, you can contact members of the house and senate transportation committees as well. What should you say? It's pretty simple: speak from your heart, and make sure to tell them why reliable ferry service is so important to you, your family, business, or community. Vashon also has opportunity in this session to retain and expand our water taxi service. Senator Alvarado has introduced funding to retain midday service and expand to weekends. Email her today and let her know how important expanded service is to you and your family.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
It will take all of us working together to win short-term and long-term solutions. Click here to join our email list to receive relevant action and information updates. You will only receive emails specifically related to WSF organizing efforts.
Click here to sign the petition! Add your name and help us demonstrate how many people in our community are affected by ferry disruptions.
Click here to read results from our September, 2024 Vashon resident 2-boat schedule and transit survey.
One of our top priorities is gathering stories to share that illustrate the variety of impacts ferry service disruptions create. It's not just long lines – it’s stranded kids, missed medical treatments, lost wages and revenue, missing important life events - the impacts are real, severe, and deeply affect our quality of life. Please consider sharing your story with us. We will use your words and experiences to better tell our stories in the media and to the legislators and policy makers who have the power to implement solutions. Click here to share your story.
Islanders for Ferry Action has teamed up with communities across the Sound to form a regional coalition. The Fix Our Ferries citizen action movement has now grown to three communities that extend the length and breadth of the Washington State Ferries system, from the San Juan Islands to Vashon.
Representative groups from the communities have signed a get-it-done letter to the Governor and the Legislature, pressing for immediate steps to relieve the years-long ferry crisis during the 2025 budget session. Visit FixOurFerries.org to learn more!