State Transportation Commission to conduct a survey of ferry customers
Posted 3.06.08

Transportation Commission Office - PO Box 47308 - Olympia, WA 98504-7308
(360) 705-7070

Date: March 6, 2008

Olympia, WA: Washington State Ferries (WSF) is facing serious financial and operational challenges and several studies are currently underway to help WSDOT and our state’s decision makers develop comprehensive solutions that will meet the needs of its customers in the future. In the 2007 session, the Legislature provided the Washington State Transportation Commission with funding and a mandate to conduct a survey of ferry customers per the statutory provisions contained in ESHB 2358.

The purpose of the WSTC 2008 Ferry Customer Survey is to gather information from a representative sample of ferry customers on their travel behaviors and attitudes. The research will also ask customers to provide feedback on a number of operational and other strategies that are being considered by WSF to help inform decisions regarding how to better utilize existing ferry capacity, increase the efficiency with which the system operates, and evaluate the need for capital expansion to meet current and future demands for service.

Beginning in early March and continuing through late March, Opinion Research Northwest will be conducting a survey of ferry riders on-board the ferries, riding on more than 150 randomly selected trips. All routes will be surveyed as part of this comprehensive survey effort.

Participation in the survey is voluntary. Individual survey responses will be kept confidential and will only be used for statistical purposes. However, the Commission would like to encourage all customers on the sampled routes to take the time to complete this important survey and to play a role in planning WSF’s future.

For more information on the WSTC Ferry Customer Survey, go to:
http://www.wstc.wa.gov/FerryCustomerSurvey/default.htm

For more information on Opinion Research Northwest and to see a list of Frequently Asked Questions about this study, go to: http://www.nwrg.com/northwest_research_group_wstc.aspx

If you would like to contact ORC-NW for more information about this study, please call (866) 461-0700 and ask for the ferry study or e-mail ferryinfo@nwrg.com.

If you would like to contact the Washington State Transportation Commission, you can reach their offices at (360) 705-7070 or you may send an e-mail to transc@wsdot.wa.gov.

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