Vashon Island Transportation Needs Survey

Vashon Maury Island Community Council • P.O. Box 281 • Vashon, WA 98070

CONTACT:   Vickie Mercer
           vashontransport@centurytel.net
           (206 ) 567-4137

Greatest Impacts from Vashon Ferry Change would be Social and Economic

An island wide survey recently completed by the Vashon Maury Island Community Council to assess the effects of 
possible route changes being studied by Washington State Ferries has yielded significant results.  One of the 
four scenarios proposed currently under study would close the Fauntleroy Dock and send all auto ferries to 
downtown Seattle from both Vashon and Southworth. 

There was a 22% response to 8700 questionnaires distributed, which included all Vashon mail addresses and was 
available online on the groups website.  Consultants Gilmore Research Associates, a firm used by both Washington 
State government and the City of Seattle for transportation surveys, says a 5% response is the norm and 10% is 
considered good. 
  
The data survey shows the following:  
•	If Fauntleroy dock closes 31% would consider moving or changing jobs.    Discontinuation of passenger 
        only boat service would result in 13% considering moving or changing jobs. Economically and socially, 
        this would create turmoil in the community.  
•	78%, do not want to go to Colman Dock in downtown Seattle.  More than a dozen comments state, “Don’t 
        put Vashon auto traffic into the middle of the viaduct mess”.
•	Only 14% indicated that a direct route to downtown Seattle would best meet their needs.  
•	A mere 5% indicated the current route structure with Fauntleroy dock status quo would least meet their needs.
•	There would be an immediate impact to the Tahlequah-Pt. Defiance route, with 18% saying they would 
        switch to the Tahlequah – Pt. Defiance route rather than go to Colman Dock. Another 35% said they would 
        sometimes use Tahlequah-Pt. Defiance as an alternative.  Using the third quarter WSF statistics for the 
        Fauntleroy –Vashon route, this could push as many as 350 additional cars a day towards Tacoma.  There has 
        been no suggestion of relocating a larger vessel to the south end run to accommodate such a dramatic shift 
        of auto traffic and there is currently no mid day service there.  
•	The Vashon survey encompassed multi transportation modes in an attempt to discover if riders would respond 
        to improvements in bus service.  When asked about a ferry being met by a bus within 10 minutes of arrival, 
        52% indicated they would increase their bus use if that happened.  

It is hoped that as the Washington State Ferry planners study the results of this first ever Vashon Transportation 
Needs Survey that they will acknowledge the significant difference between its findings and the information gathered 
by their own surveys in October 2003 and May 2004.  Because WSF concentrated primarily on the peak commute periods 
and this study gathered information from the whole community, the results are widely different.  It is important 
when a community is saying that 52% depend on the ferry to access medical services.

This type of question was not explored by Washington State Ferries.  Of the survey participants 48% indicated they 
commute on a regular basis to work or school.

Of the 1930 surveys received more than 600 comments and suggestions were added.  Many participants were thoughtful 
about their needs and about the impact a change would have on their lives.  Most comments are being categorized and 
will be forwarded to transportation planners, legislators and posted on the website for the Vashon Maury Island 
Community Council, one of several sponsors for this project. 

The final question was designed to flush out closet supporters of a bridge as a mode of transportation.  It was 
able to muster 21% support from all respondents, which included reverse commuters who come from off island to 
work on Vashon.  If only identifiable Vashon residents are included, the support dropped to 17%.  

In addition to this transportation needs survey,  the Community Council conducted a comprehensive Business Survey 
completed in June, 2004 that showed if the Fauntleroy Dock were closed a number of Vashon businesses would close 
and that its largest employer, K2 Sports, might move out of the State of Washington.  

At the time of the Business Survey K2 Sports voiced their objection to the closure of the Fauntleroy dock because 
a large majority of their employees live in West Seattle and commute to Vashon Island to work every day.

For further information, contact Transportation Committee Chair, Vickie Mercer at vashontransport@centurytel.net.