The Transportation Commission is required by law to conduct a survey of ferry riders every two years to help inform level of service, operational, pricing, planning, and investment decisions. The findings of the surveys are reported to the Legislature and Governor (RCW 47.60.286).
Fare Strategies Survey
This survey was conducted on-line and the Survey Report (pdf 1 mb) is now available. The purpose of this survey was to gather a better understanding of ferry riders’ support and preference for several potential fare strategies. Specifc attention is paid to strategies that may be applied to fares such as ticket pricing, surcharges and peak/off-peak congestion strategies, ect.
Final Summary Report and Findings
The final report for the 2010 Ferry Customer Survey effort is completed. The report summarizes the key findings and results of all the individual surveys listed below.
The Final Summary Report (pdf 4 mb) was presented to the House and Senate Transportation Committees of the Legislature in February 2011 along with a presentation highlighting the key findings (pdf 1 mb).
Additional supporting information was provided on a CD contained in the hard copy of the summary report discussed above. If you would like to obtain this information please contact the Transportation Commission Office to request a copy of the CD.
Summer Wave Survey
This survey was conducted on-line and on the boats in July 2010 and is referred to as the “Summer Wave Survey” because it focused on gathering the opinions of ferry riders systemwide during the summer peak season. The Survey Report (pdf 3 mb) is now available.
Winter Wave Survey
This survey was conducted on-line and on the boats in April 2010 and is referred to as the “winter wave survey” because it focused on gathering the opinions of ferry riders systemwide during the non-peak season. The full Survey Report (pdf 2 mb) was presented to the Commission at its July 2010 meeting in Olympia along with a presentation highlighting the key findings (pdf 799 kb).
Freight Customer Survey
This survey was conducted by phone and focused on freight companies who use the ferry system. The primary purpose of this survey was to gather data on their usage of the ferry system as well as to gain insight into their opinions related to sailing schedules, ferry operations, fare levels, demand management, reservations, etc. The full Survey Report (pdf 923 kb) was presented to the Commission at its July 2010 meeting in Olympia along with a presentation highlighting the key findings (pdf 512 kb).
General Market Assessment Survey
This survey was conducted by phone and focused on how the ferry system is utilized by greater Puget Sound residents. The primary purpose of this survey was to gather data on their usage of the ferry system, what impacts their usage of the ferry system, how their use of the ferry system has changed over time and why, etc. The full Survey Report (pdf 1 mb) was presented to the Commission at its July 2010 meeting in Olympia along with a presentation highlighting the key findings (pdf 828 kb).
Mode Shift Survey
This survey was conducted on-line. The purpose of the this survey was to determine ferry rider’s ability and willingness to alter their travel habits based on potential changes in fare structure and service levels, transit service levels, reservations, etc. The full Survey Report (pdf 5 mb) was presented to the Commission at its February 2011 meeting in Olympia.
Capital Funding Survey
This survey was conducted on-line. The purpose of this survey was to gather ferry rider’s opinions regarding WSF’s current capital funding challenges and possible solutions, preferred distribution of revenue, support for fare recovery methods and fare increases, etc. The full Survey Report (pdf 1.5mb) was presented to the Commission at its February 2011 meeting in Olympia.
Quick Poll Results
As part of this comprehensive survey effort, the Commission has conducted a series of “quick polls” which are simple one question surveys sent out to our FROG panel members over the course of the year. The questions cover a broad range of topics the results of which are shown below.
Quick Poll #7: This question polled ferry riders on their views about the possibility of privatizing the state run ferry system.
Quick Poll #7 Results (pdf 358 kb)
Quick Poll #6: This question collected data on how the peak summer season impacts ferry riders’ use of the ferry system.
Quick Poll #6 Results (pdf 687 kb)
Quick Poll #5: This question polled ferry riders on their preferences for the ferry names under consideration by the Commission for the next two 64-car ferries.
Quick Poll #5 Results (pdf 446 kb
Quick Poll #4: This question collected data on how may ferry riders telecommute to work.
Quick Poll #4 Results (pdf 445 kb)
Quick Poll #3: This question polled ferry riders on their views about offering discounted fares for small cars.
Quick Poll #3 Results (pdf 343 kb)
Quick Poll #2: This question polled ferry riders on their views about a possible fuel surcharge.
Quick Poll #2 Results (pdf 303 kb)
Quick Poll #1: This question polled ferry riders on their views regarding service vs fare levels.
Quick Poll #1 Results (pdf 430 kb)