Kris Rietmann Abrudan

Communications Director

June 2021

WSF

Weekly

Update:Washington

State Ferries

Newsletter

TransComm 2021 Awards

2B: External Publication

Washington State Ferries• Largest ferry system in the United States

• Fleet of 21 auto-passenger vessels

• Operates 20 terminals on 10 routes

• Part of state highway network, serving

eight counties and British Columbia

(Canada service suspended due to pandemic)

• Average annual ridership of 23.4 million

(pre-pandemic from 2010-2019)

• Second largest ferry system in the world for

vehicles with an average of 10.3 million/year

(pre-pandemic from 2010-2019)

• Major tourist attraction and icon of region

• Critical link between more affordable housing

on the west side of Puget Sound and key

employment centers on the east side

• About 2,000 employees

2

Situation• Provides information on system from view of WSDOT Assistant Secretary for Ferries

• Topics include:

– Service- and ridership-

related updates

– Construction and

maintenance work of

vessels and terminals

– Fleet visits by

executives and dignitaries

– Legislative updates

– Key accomplishments

– Road work that

may affect customers

– Compliments

from customers

3

Goals and objectives• Focuses on sharing information

about what it takes to keep the

system in operation by:

– Updating the public about

service

– Showcasing the hard work of

employees

– Sharing critical information

– Being transparent with

taxpayers

– Helping customers know about

possible travel delays before

they head out

– Announcing public engagement

opportunities

– Celebrating the system as an

icon of the Pacific Northwest

4

Year In Review• One edition in January serves as a recap of the previous year

5

Target audience• Posted to the web and sent via

email to those who sign up for it,

including:

– Frequent riders

– Ferry enthusiasts

– Legislators, legislative staff

and county/city officials

representing WSF-served

communities

– Regional news media

– Social media users on WSF

Facebook page and

@wsferries Twitter account

– Employees (across

WSDOT, not just Ferries

Division)

6

ResultsEmails

• Sent to nearly 8,000 email addresses

• Leads to correspondence from legislators,

legislative staff and county/city officials

representing WSF-served communities and

the Ferry Advisory Committees

Online

• Webpage hosting online version averages

700 pageviews a month

7

ResultsSocial media

• Link to online version posted to @wsferries Twitter page (more than 36,000 followers)

• Most topics in newsletter posted individually to Facebook page (nearly 6,000 likes,

nearly 9,000 follows)

Media

• Stories often used word for word in online and print editions of media outlets

• Sign of significance and influence as a trusted source of news about WSF

8