Ferries are an alternative to driving that cuts emissions
Ferries recently examined the six busiest commuter routes in the ferry system (representing 71 percent of all WSF commuters) to compare the time, cost, and greenhouse gas emissions of a commuter driving around the Puget Sound versus taking a ferry.
Choosing the ferry has lower costs, takes less time and contributes fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to driving for each commute route shown in the table below.
A commuter saves nearly two hours, more than $31, and 73 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions (measured in carbon dioxide equivalents) each day by taking the Bainbridge to Seattle ferry rather than driving.
Daily greenhouse gas emissions savings taking the ferry instead of driving around the Puget Sound on state highways vary from 44 kilograms to 81 kilograms depending on the route.
By riding the ferry instead of driving, each day commuters saved an average of:
Seattle – Bremerton route:
- 39 minutes
- $21
- 42 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions
Seattle – Bainbridge route:
- 119 minutes
- $32
- 74 kg greenhouse gas emissions
The “Drive or Sail” folio can be found on the Washington State Ferries website at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/Environment/default.htm.
