Ferries are safe, but not friendly nor prompt | Letters | Aug. 20

Published 12:33 pm Friday, August 20, 2010

There has been much publication in recent months surrounding the Washington State Ferry system and various scandals within the workings of the ferries and its employees.

I want to bring to light another issue, one that is probably far less important to many and certainly less costly to taxpayers, but it’s an issue that I think needs to be addressed.

I have consistently dealt with ferry employees that have been rude, disinterested in my patronage both as a walk-on and a drive-aboard. Today was a perfect example of how I’m treated nearly every time I ride one of the ferries, and an experience I’m sure I share with countless others.

I was driving aboard via the Kingston-Edmonds run and when I got to the ticket booth, the ticket lady was totally distracted with a very loud conversation with the ticket agent in the booth across the other lane of travel. There was absolutely no welcome greeting or acknowledgment of my presence whatsoever.

I handed the lady the money, which she took while still talking to the other agent and when she hastily handed me my change, the coins fell to the ground, which caused her to look down. She said nothing and continued once again her conversation with the other agent.

Upon my return later that day via Seattle-Bainbridge, I had a very similar experience with a very unfriendly, unfocused and otherwise unconcerned ticket agent at the Colman terminal.

After we conducted our business, I said a very friendly “thank you very much,” and got a cold shoulder in return, not even a nod of the head or a “you too.”

I proceeded to the boat and was stopped along with about three other cars just as I was getting ready to get on the ferry, which was not even half full. The spiteful ferry crew closed the gates and the boat was off with us three cars just sitting there.

Myself and about 10 other people were completely speechless and one other driver talked to the lady doing the traffic control and proceeded to complain to her. But, of course, with the ferry already under way there was nothing to be done and we were forced to wait 45 minutes until the next boat arrived.

That in and of itself was bad enough, but the next boat was 20 minutes late leaving Seattle for Bainbridge. I spent longer waiting for ferries that day than I did at the event I attended in King County.

WSF needs to address these issues and I’m nearly positive that I am not the only one that observes and has to deal with this kind of behavior on a regular basis.

WSF is quick to point out that it is one of the safest water transport services in the world, which is extremely important. But the most prompt and friendly they are not.

Matt Johanson

Rolling Bay