Demand for the first Point Roberts ferry was strong, so these changes are planned
Demand for the new Point Roberts ferry service is much stronger than expected while non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada border is limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Port of Bellingham is making several changes.
Starting next week the service will increase to two times a week, operating on Tuesdays and Fridays. The port also has decided to change the destination, taking residents on a two-hour trip to the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven rather than to the Blaine marina.
San Juan Cruises, which is providing the service, also will begin using a bigger ship next week. The Salish Express, which can carry 60 passengers and meet social distancing requirements with plenty of outdoor seating, will handle the ferry service between Point Roberts and Bellingham. At full capacity the Salish Express can carry 128 passengers.
The arrival and departure times also have changed to give passengers more time to shop, go to doctor’s appointments and do other necessities, according to a news release from the port. The new schedule will allow Point Roberts residents about five hours to complete their errands in the Bellingham area before the ferry departs north to Point Roberts.
The service began Aug. 25 as a way for Point Roberts residents to visit the rest of Whatcom County during this COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic closed the border to non-essential travelers in March, residents have basically been cut off from the rest of Whatcom County.
By car, Point Roberts residents need to go through two border crossings to get to Blaine. The ban on non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada border is currently in place through Sept. 21 even as U.S. lawmakers have been urging the Canadian government to ease restrictions for Point Roberts residents.
At a Port of Bellingham meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1, Executive Director Rob Fix told commissioners that 100 requests were made to ride the 50-foot Salish Sea ferry on the first trip, which has a capacity for 40 passengers during the pandemic. He added that they also received feedback from residents about improving the service, which led to the changes.
This temporary, emergency ferry service has worked out well, said Drew Schmidt, operator of San Juan Cruises, adding that he’s heard from a lot of passengers thanking the port.
“I think the route to Fairhaven will be even more convenient,” Schmidt said.
Face masks are required on the Point Roberts ferry, along with a reservation. The ferry service is being offered free of charge because of the emergency nature of the situation. Details and reservations can be found on the Port of Bellingham’s website.
This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 12:53 PM.
