Reservations going fast on Port Townsend ferry

More than 500 trips have been booked since Washington State Ferries began taking reservations on its Port Townsend-Keystone route last Monday.

Monday is the first day reservations will be in effect.

Popular sailing times, particularly over the Memorial Day weekend, are filling up fast.

The state implemented its first domestic reservation system because the two Steel Electric ferries that worked the route were taken out of service in November, leaving the run with a single smaller vessel leased from Pierce County.

During normal summers, the Port Townsend-to-Keystone ferry route would have two boats leaving the terminals every 45 minutes.

But with the route down to just one boat leaving every 90 minutes, ferry officials are worried about logjams at the terminals.

The state will take reservations for half the capacity of the 50-car boat. Although reservations can be made up to a month in advance, the ferry system also will accept same-day reservations.

Beginning Monday, passengers can make same-day reservations by phone or at the Port Townsend and Keystone terminals. Beginning Wednesday, passengers can make reservations online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.To reserve by phone, call 888-808-7977 or 206-464-6400 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com