A new system that allows you to reserve a spot on select Washington State ferry routes in advance appears to be working just fine.
That’s the report by the Skagit Valley Herald. The new system, implemented in early January to “better manage congestion on ferries” between Anacortes and the San Juans, is alleviating wait times for travelers.
The “Save a Spot” system is simple — just go online and book your ferry. The site is currently taking reservations for spring 2015 through June 13. They will start taking summer reservations April 14. Other routes using the new reservation system include the ferries from Port Townsend to Coupeville, and Anacortes to Sidney, B.C.
The system is based on a “30/30/30” tiered release: 30 percent of reservations are accepted two months prior to each season’s start date; then another 30 percent two weeks out; and the last 30 percent two days prior to go time. They hold 10 percent of each ferry for standby. There is no additional charge for making a reservation.
Drivers can also take a later boat that same day at no cost if they decide to change their reservation. Changing the day of your departure costs $10, and there is a no-show fee if you make a reservation and don’t show up based on your vehicle size.
The chair for the ferry advisory committee, Jim Corenman, who also helped develop the plan, told the Skagit Valley Herald that they will see how the new system performs before considering changes. “I think those numbers will be discussed,” he said. “But we want to get through summer first and see how that goes.”
Reserve early and often. According to the Washington State Ferries site, “If you don’t have a reservation, at busy times you may wait multiple sailings for a space.”
