Guemes Ferry Operations & Service Analysis
Guemes Ferry Operations & Service Analysis
The County has hired BERK Consulting, Inc. to undertake an operations and service analysis of the Guemes Island Ferry system that considers future and operational service. The study will address staffing, scheduling, ticketing, loading/unloading, and other items for the ferry system. The scope includes developing and evaluating ferry system performance criteria and service delivery options/alternatives.
BERK, in conjunction with subcontractor KPFF, will work primarily with County ferry staff, and seek feedback from the Guemes Island Ferry Committee and the ridership for advisory purposes. The culmination will be a long-range service and operations plan identifying activities, investments, and implementation strategies (as approved by the County).
BERK and KPFF's work will result in two packages of system improvement options (both prioritize two round-rips per hour).
- Package 1: Service improvements that can be attained with minimum investment
- Package 2: Additional improvements that come at a higher cost
Once the study is complete, we will present the packages to the County Commissioners in early 2020.
Public comment was accepted at two community meetings and via email.
Recent public engagement and feedback opportunities
In 2019, we conducted two online surveys with the ferry community to better understand priorities for service improvement.
The first survey, on Guemes Ferry Operations & Service, closed Sept. 15, 2019, and had 550 participants. The second survey, on Guemes Ferry Service Objectives & Cost, closed Dec. 5, 2019, and had 445 participants. Thank you to everyone who shared feedback.
Guemes Ferry Operations & Service Survey
How can we make your ferry experience better? We're working with BERK Consulting & KPFF Consulting Engineers to study possible system improvements that address issues identified...
Guemes Ferry Service Objectives & Cost Survey
How can we make your ferry experience better? In the previous Operations & Service survey, you told us what service options you were most interested in:Eliminating the midday service gapAdding...
Past public engagement and feedback opportunities
An online Guemes Ferry Replacement Survey was conducted within the ferry community in 2017. The survey was taken by 328 participants who answered questions about their usage of the ferry and voiced ideas regarding a new vessel and future service.
Following the first survey, 345 participants completed a second Guemes Ferry System Improvements survey and answered questions about reliability, scheduling, and ticketing preferences.
Guemes Ferry Replacement Survey
Skagit County has operated a vehicle and passenger ferry service between Anacortes and Guemes Island since the early 1960s. The current vessel, the M/V Guemes, is a 21-vehicle, 99-passenger, diesel-powered...
Guemes Ferry System Improvements Survey
In our first survey, you gave us baseline information about who uses the ferry, when, and why. This new survey asks you more detailed questions that will allow us to better understand the input we...