By Bob Smith and Mike De Felice
Kitsap News Group
PORT ORCHARD — For the government officials and Kitsap County citizen activists boarding the passenger-only, fast ferry vessel Enetai at the Southworth ferry terminal last Saturday morning, it surely could have been a time for bear hugs, backslaps and high-fives.
But with the COVID-19 pandemic still hovering over us, elbow bumps had to suffice for the facemask-bearing contingent who boarded the bow-loading vessel. Nevertheless, there was plenty to celebrate for the South Kitsap community, and for John Clauson, Kitsap Transit’s executive director, all of whom collectively waited many months for the debut of the Southworth-downtown Seattle route as the third, and final, leg of the agency’s fast ferry service — as authorized by county voters in 2016.
The inaugural launch at Southworth was a low-key affair due to the pandemic. And the number of passengers on this sailing was significantly fewer than the vessel’s listed capacity of 255 passengers. But smiles were abundant onboard Enetai as Clauson welcomed the passengers aboard the first sailing, which instead of docking at its usual downtown Seattle Pier 50 destination, skirted the waterfront before returning to the Southworth dock.
Offering their own congratulatory remarks at the start of the 9:15 a.m. sailing was U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of the 6th Congressional District and Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu.
Once Enetai left port at Southworth, the difference for passengers who normally travel aboard a Washington State Ferries vessel wasn’t particularly noticeable — the ride was smooth, as it usually is aboard the large vehicle-carrying vessels. But the difference could be seen from inside looking out the windows as the vessel darted at about 40 knots over Puget Sound waters. In less than 15 minutes, the West Seattle shoreline loomed ahead. And about 10 minutes later, downtown’s Pier 50 was dead ahead.
Passengers aboard the fast-ferry, passenger-only vessel Enetai are afforded a smooth, speedy trip to downtown Seattle. (Bob Smith | Kitsap Daily News)
While Enetai smoothly glided along its route back to Kitsap County, Kilmer, the 6th District congressman, said he found the fast ferry route’s debut to be a positive for those living in his district.
Southworth sailings ‘a positive’
“This is really positive for Kitsap County,” Kilmer said. “It’s positive from the standpoint of people being able to commute to work, to see a physician or to catch a sporting event when we’re not in the middle of a pandemic, and to spend less time commuting.”
Kilmer said having another leg added to this area’s transit infrastructure is beneficial for the region’s economic development. “It is a magnet for economic development and for economic opportunity. That’s good news.”
The congressman said that putting this new waterborne route into place took the work of not only elected officials but community members from throughout the county.
“I think the community should take a lot of pride in this,” he said. “This is a testament to a whole lot of folks working together — local business leaders, elected officials and the citizens of Kitsap County — to make this happen. People should be proud of this.”
Clauson said that from start to finish, the creation of a fast-ferry route from South Kitsap to downtown Seattle has been “an adventure.”
John Clauson, executive director of Kitsap Transit, said the new passenger-only service from Southworth gives South Kitsap residents greater opportunities for travel between the Kitsap Peninsula and downtown Seattle. (Bob Smith | Kitsap Daily News)
“I don’t think that everyone in the community is aware of it, but this adventure has been going on for well over 10 years,” he said, “when you include all of the studies that we conducted before we even built the boat.”
Although the Southworth-downtown Seattle route is now operational, Clauson said plenty of work remains to be done in transitioning to maintaining its operation and focusing on efficiencies.
The new route will likely become a major driver in South Kitsap’s growing interconnection with downtown Seattle, both as a transportation component and an economic generator, the elected officials agreed.
Until now, commuters haven’t had the ability to travel directly from Southworth to downtown Seattle. Prior to the start of the fast-ferry service, passengers had to take a Washington State Ferries vessel to Fauntleroy, then transfer to a Metro commuter bus for the trip downtown.
“This is a 26-minute crossing to downtown Seattle,” Clauson said. “That’s going to be great.”
The transit agency’s executive director said the fast ferry route’s schedule is designed to best accommodate commuter travel. During the summer months, however, he said sailings will be scheduled all day Saturday, COVID-19 restrictions willing — even into the late hours so passengers can leave downtown after sporting and entertainment events conclude.
Clauson said a reduced travel time is a benefit that commuters can savor. “I have said jokingly — but I believe it — that if you can save a commuter five minutes worth of time, you have a friend for life. This service will save them way more than five minutes.”
Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu, also aboard the inaugural sailing, agreed that the new route is a game-changer.
“We have had tremendous development growth, particularly in the McCormick Woods area, and a component of that is the people living in the tech industry, and there are so many of those jobs in downtown Seattle,” Putaansuu said.
“Instead of spending hours on the Washington State Ferries system, you are giving hours of life back to them and a more reasonable commute.
“I’ve got colleagues in other communities who are envious [of the fast-ferry route]. In Pierce County and other places, they want this — and we did it in Kitsap County. I’m proud of that.”
Rides are fare-free through April
The new route, which completes Kitsap Transit’s trio of routes to downtown Seattle alongside service from Bremerton and Kingston, offers four trips to Seattle and five trips to Southworth in the afternoon. The public can ride fare-free through the end of April. Kitsap Transit has suspended summer Saturday sailings on all fast-ferry routes for the time being because of the pandemic.
Once fare collection begins in May, fares will be the same on the Southworth route as it is for Kitsap Transit’s Bremerton and Kingston service: $2 eastbound to Seattle and $10 westbound to Kitsap. Riders can pay their fare with cash, ORCA or Transit GO Ticket mobile app.
— Correspondent Mike De Felice contributed to this story.
