Washington State Ferries

State lawmakers are considering a break from past policy in order to obtain new vessels faster and cheaper for the troubled Washington state ferry system.

An analysis of Washington State Ferries data shows ferries are running behind schedule this year more than they have in the past decade, with a consistent decline in on-time performance.

The Seattle Public Library digitized approximately 800 new images this year, more than doubling the size of its historical Northwest Photograph Collection. From McNeil Island Penitentiary to the Coulee Dam to Neah Bay, photos from 1920-1949 demonstrate the long history of regional issues that KNKX Public Radio and its contributors report on to this day.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a nearly $17 billion, 16-year transportation revenue package that will pay for a variety of projects across the state, including building four new hybrid electric ferries.

The next Washington state ferry will bear the name Wishkah when it sails in 2024. The Washington State Transportation Commission voted 7-0 Tuesday to select the name after receiving citizen suggestions for months.

Washington’s newest state ferry will get its name Tuesday afternoon, after a months-long public process. It’s the system’s first hybrid-electric boat and will carry 144 cars when it enters service in 2024. The state transportation commission will choose the winning moniker from six finalists' proposals.

Washington State Ferries is slashing its scheduled service starting this weekend because of chronic staff shortages that have impacted the boat service. Some workers who haven’t been vaccinated warned it will only get worse.

Washington State Ferries warned travelers Friday that seven of its 10 routes were operating with fewer boats as chronic crew shortages suddenly worsened and left the transportation system in disarray.

Canceled sailings at Washington State Ferries could worsen for Labor Day weekend as crew shortages and COVID-19 quarantines continue to impact the schedules.

Puget Sound ferry travelers can expect summer delays because last month’s fire aboard the ferry Wenatchee has forced the state to use smaller vessels than…