Walk-on ridership is near its highest point since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic at Washington State Ferries, state officials announced last week.

The peak travel summer season started June 19 for Washington State Ferries, and officials noted the systemwide vehicle count is at 91 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with the Anacortes-San Juan Islands, Point Defiance-Tahlequah, and Mukilteo-Clinton routes closest to 2019 numbers. 

Walk-on passengers have been slower to return, according to WSF, and are at just 62 percent of this time three years ago. 

The total combined vehicle and walk-on summer season ridership through Aug. 28 is at 82 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

Ridership is expected to grow even closer to pre-pandemic levels as the ferry system restores service on a route-by-route basis outlined in its  COVID-19 Service Restoration Plan.

“Unfortunately, our crewing levels are not at a point yet where we can begin adding full service back to our next route – the Edmonds-Kingston route – even on a trial basis,” said Patty Rubstello, head of WSF. 

“Doing so would put our restored runs in jeopardy. Until then, we will continue to add a second vessel to that route daily as crewing allows,” Rubstello said.