Ferry reservation meeting set

EDMONDS — Visionaries here imagine a future where riding a ferry involves less guess work.

A reservation system, advocates believe, could help keep drivers from the frustration of hours-long, slow-moving ferry lines.

“Rather than wait in a physical queue on the road, you could know to show up at a specific time for a specific sailing,” said Joy Goldenberg, a spokeswoman for Washington State Ferries.

“You could choose to do something else with your free time,” she said.

The state has budgeted $3.8 million to develop a reservation system. Washington State Ferries are expected to deliver a report in time for the 2010 Legislative session.

One step towards a reservation system is set for tonight.

The first-ever meeting of the Edmonds-Kingston Partnership Group is scheduled for 6 to 8 tonight in the Brackett Meeting Room at Edmonds City Hall, 121 Fifth Ave. N.

Community members, city officials and business interests are all represented in the group, Goldenberg said.

The partnership is scheduled to discuss with state ferries officials how a vehicle reservation system could work on the Edmonds-Kingston route.

The Edmonds-Kingston route is a likely pilot project test site, Goldenberg said.

There are a wide variety of ferry users on the route — commercial trucks as well as commuter and recreational users, she said.

Ferry systems around the world have implemented reservation systems, and officials with WSF have examined many of them, Goldenberg said.

Still, it is important to get feedback before deciding what would work best in Washington, she said.

“(Reservation systems) have worked every place,” Goldenberg said. “We’re trying to see if this is something that can work for WSF.”

Chris Fyall: 425-339-3447, cfyall@heraldnet.com.

Ferry reservations?

A ferry reservation system will be discussed at the first-ever meeting of the Edmonds-Kingston Partnership Group. The meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8 tonight in the Brackett Meeting Room at Edmonds City Hall, 121 Fifth Ave. N.