STATE FERRIES: Three boats out for repairs/maintenance on Seattle-serving routes

Checking the Washington State Ferries alert page to see if there’s been any change in the projection that Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth will be down to two boats until at least Tuesday, we see the system now has three boats out of service on Seattle (including West Seattle) routes: Seattle-Bainbridge is down to one boat because 28-year-old M/V Tacoma broke down; Seattle-Bremerton was already down to one boat because 52-year-old M/V Walla Walla is out of service; and Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth remains down to two boats because 46-year-old M/V Kittitas needs repairs. So if you’re planning to go just about anywhere via WSF any time soon, be aware they’re running on a much-reduced fleet right now – already below the number of vessels considered the desired baseline (currently 14 are in service per the real-time map). The alert page has links to the alternative schedules currently in use.

Richard H. January 4, 2026 (1:43 pm)

I wonder how much maintenance the amount of money we’re sending to Florida for those “high-tech” electric boats 5 years from now would have bought us?

Jim January 4, 2026 (9:00 pm)

Well here’s something to consider. Sound Transit spends the equivalent yearly of over 10 years worth of Washington State Ferries budget. Imagine if we put even a fraction of that money into giving a facelift to the ferry system
- K January 5, 2026 (6:45 am)
  
  Apples and oranges. Sound Transit is building the infrastructure in addition to operating it. If WSF was paying for new boats and building all new ferry terminals throughout Puget Sound and also operating the existing network, that would be closer. Even then, the ferries only need vehicles and terminals. Light rail takes vehicles, stations, and all the tracks between. They also serve two completely different needs. There’s just no comparison.
  
  Bummer people have to wait longer on the ferries, but people know what they’re getting into when they choose to live on an island.

Actualperson January 4, 2026 (3:21 pm)

State should have ordered new ferries 10 years ago. Problem now is that the ferries are so old that maintenance money spent on them is simply band aids and will not make them young again.

T Rex January 4, 2026 (4:03 pm)

I do not depend on a ferry but I do know people who do. I know nothing about these boats but aren’t they a little old?

IDC9 January 5, 2026 (9:01 am)

A little old is putting it mildly. In Europe, it is quite common to replace ferries once they hit 30 years of age. Here in Washington, we tend to wait much longer. The famed Steel Electric Class vessels served until they turned the ripe old age of 80 back in 2007, and the current vessel Tillikum is looking set to serve well into her 70s.

IDC9 January 5, 2026 (8:59 am)

WSF’s already bad start to 2026 is only getting worse. It is starting to feel like the COVID era all over again for service, an era the system only just broke free of last summer.