​Commissioner Wolfe joined state and local dignitaries in a ceremony dedicating Kitsap Transit's new ferry service from Bremerton to Seattle. The July 5 ceremony celebrated the foresight of voters who approved the sales tax increase to fund the passenger-only service, as well as those who championed the idea, the partnerships that made it happen, and the cutting edge technology that makes the Rich Passage I nearly wake-less as it travels at high speeds.

Speakers at the event included Governor Inslee, Kitsap Transit Executive Director John Clauson, Representative Kilmer, Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent, and Port Orchard Mayor and Kitsap Transit Board Chairman Rob Putaansuu. After the ceremony, attendees boarded the boat and took a trial run to Elliot Bay and back to Bremerton. The Washington State Ferry system had attempted this route years ago, but complaints and claims about wake damage to waterfront properties ended that service. This time, the boat (and future boats to be added to the route) are designed to minimize wakes.  In fact, the boat must travel at least 34 knots through Rich Passage, the narrowest part of the journey, in order to minimize the wake. It then slows down for fuel efficiency once it hits open water, getting passengers to Seattle in about 28 minutes.

The ferry will make three morning and three afternoon round-trips during commuter hours, and ten round trips on Saturdays. For more information on this new ferry service visit http://www.kitsaptransit.com/service/category/fast-ferry or call (800)501-RIDE.