Aqua Express isn’t wasting any time in getting to know the community. Given the passenger only ferry’s sink or swim future in Kingston though, this was pretty much expected.

Even so, it’s an extremely good sign.

Aqua Express plans to hit the ground (or water, as the case may be) running next week, offering commuter service from Kingston to Seattle and culminating about a decade’s worth of work. Much work is still to come but the fact that officials from the business are already looking to improve something that hasn’t been available in the past is an excellent start.

Thursday and Friday, Aqua Express will be conducting free “listening runs” on the passenger-only ferry. These events are exactly what they sound like, runs in which officials from the company will listen to everything from constructive criticism to positive feedback.

Saturday, local folks can get a closer look at the boat, talk with Aqua Express officials further and even sound off with representatives from Kitsap Transit. The transportation agency has changed several routes to accommodate the new ferry and is looking for input on those alterations as well.

While both services have done quite a bit to prepare North Kitsap for the ferry, they obviously want to do even more. The more seamless the transition, the less confusion there will be. Less confusion will mean better reception from the public and long-term usage — in short, success. Yes, that may be at hand as well.

Either way, it’s nice to know that the powers that be already realize that listening to us is in their best interest.