Poll: Respondents support San Juan-Bellingham ferry

An overwhelming number of poll respondents have said they would support a high-speed passenger-only ferry between the San Juan Islands and Bellingham.

The ferry would connect islanders to train, bus and taxi service in Bellingham. Islanders would be able to leave their vehicles at home; visitors to San Juan Island would be able to leave their cars on the mainland. Transit or shuttle service would be needed on Lopez and Orcas islands.

The poll was posted in August by sanjuanjournal.com and islandsweekly.net. To the question, “Would you ride a high-speed passenger-only ferry that would connect the San Juans with Bellingham?” repsondents voted 181 yes, 44 no.

The idea of a San Juan-Bellingham ferry is being touted by the North Sound Connecting Communities Project, a coalition of local governments developing a mass transit plan for the North Puget Sound region.

Project members include the cities of Arlington, Bellingham and Mount Vernon, the Town of Friday Harbor, and the counties of Island, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom. An average of 40 public officials regularly attend meetings.

The coalition formed to improve transportation in the North Puget Sound region; they want to ease traffic congestion and ease dependence on the Washington State Ferries.

By developing a regularly scheduled ferry between the San Juans and Bellingham, officials say visitors and islanders will be able to leave their cars at home, easing traffic congestion on both sides. The Bellingham ferry landing is next to bus, taxi and train service, making it convenient to get to colleges, jobs, medical appointments and shopping without a personal vehicle.

The project has received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to study the purchase of passenger ferries for the San Juans; and the improvement of inter-county transit and rail service.

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