Washington State Ferries has delayed the start of winter vehicle reservations due to technical issues with the state Department of Transportation’s website.
Bookings were originally scheduled to open on November 7th, but are now scheduled to start at 10am on November 14th, for travel between December 31st and March 23rd next year.
The Washington State Department of Transportation first reported on social platform X at 6:20 a.m. Tuesday that its website and cameras were down. As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no estimated time for the site to be fully back online.
The original winter pre-order release date was one week later than usual. The 10 a.m. start time is also three hours later than previously announced at 7 a.m., an adjustment recommended by the San Juan Islands Ferry Advisory Committee to control high demand, the agency said. .
This adjustment is designed to address high demand for reservations released two months in advance of sailing date. Additional reservations are available two weeks and two days before sailing date and will continue to be released daily at 7am.
The agency has reduced the number of vehicle reservations available in Anacortes/San Juan Islands from 90% of capacity to 75%, leaving 25% for standby due to crew and vessel availability constraints.
Of the 75% of spaces available for reservation, 25% will be released at 10am on November 14th, an additional 25% will be released two weeks before a particular sailing, and a final 25% will be released two days before the sailing. Masu.Release time is 7am
The ministry said the additional waiting space will ensure those with reservations can travel during the service disruption. Customers will also be able to travel without reservations.
Additionally, the agency will release all reservations (80% of available seats) on the Port Townsend/Coupeville line at 10 a.m. Nov. 14.