Headways Newsletter: April 2024
A Kitsap Transit ferry captain looks out over the Bremerton Ferry Dock.
Welcome back to Headways!
This month, we’re diving deep on big new changes to Kitsap Transit’s routed bus service in Central Kitsap. We’re very excited about the opening of our new transit center in Silverdale. Plenty of you have already weighed in on proposed changes to bus service serving the new transit center, and, as a result, we’ve revised a few of those changes.
Summer is right around the corner, which means late night Saturday ferry sailings return! Kingston riders will get to enjoy a new vessel, the M/V Solano, which we put into service recently. Plus, we recognize our Marine Services team for the great work they did keeping our passengers safe during several safety events in 2023. Enjoy!
Stay up to date with all things KT by subscribing to Headways here.
Got a question? Drop us a line.
1. Learn about the new changes coming to Central Kitsap bus routes this summer
This summer, Kitsap Transit will make significant changes to our routed bus service to coincide with the opening of our new Silverdale Transit Center on Ridgetop Boulevard. We put the proposed route changes out to the public last month, asking for feedback ahead of a public hearing at the regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting on May 7.
Based on public input, we’ve revised our proposed route changes. Read on to learn more!
2. Recognizing KT Marine Services’ commitment to safety
Last year, KT crews responded to an unprecedented number of significant safety events. We want to recognize 13 of our crew members who stepped up in these instances and helped resolve potentially dangerous situations, including a boat fire, the Walla Walla grounding, an attempted vessel theft and an opioid overdose.
3. Solano enters service on the Kingston-Seattle route
M/V Solano, the 10th vessel in Kitsap Transit’s fleet, started operations on the Kingston-Seattle route earlier this month, a little over three years since the agency bought it from San Francisco Bay Ferry.
4. Summer fast ferry service begins May 4
Kitsap Transit’s three fast ferry routes will start their summer schedules on Saturday, May 4. Summer sailing schedules include all-day Saturday service from Bremerton, Kingston and Southworth to Seattle.
5. Kitsap Transit resumes rollout of Sunday bus service
Kitsap Transit plans to roll out Sunday bus service in Port Orchard, Silverdale and Poulsbo on June 16. Phase 2 of Sunday service expansion, which was scheduled to start March 10, was paused to give the agency time to evaluate the potential financial impact of Initiative 2117, a November ballot initiative.