Ferry service is on schedule, but car space will continue to be scarcer than usual on the Bainbridge-Seattle run, following mechanical problems that forced the ferry system to shuffle its fleet.

The Tacoma, one of two large ferries that normally serve the route, suffered rudder damage Tuesday afternoon and won’t return to service until, at the earliest, next month. The ferry system has to wait until Feb. 5 for available dry dock space to repair the 460-foot vessel.

Meanwhile, the 144-car Hyak, which usually serves the Bremerton-Seattle route, is sailing in place of the 202-car Tacoma on the Bainbridge-Seattle run. Because of the impact to car space, WSF is encouraging passengers to walk-on and use public transportation. Passenger space has not been impacted by the shuffle.

WSF is working to accelerate the return to the fleet of Tacoma’s sister ship, Wenatchee, which is undergoing annual maintenance.

WSF issued an apology to ferry riders, who during rush hour Tuesday endured wait times that were twice as long as usual before the Hyak restored normal service, beginning with the 9 p.m. sailing from Seattle.

Updates will be posted at the WSF website, www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.