San Juan County Marine Transportation Services Pilot Project: Final Week Reminder

Overview of the Pilot Project

San Juan County is concluding its Marine Transportation Services Pilot Project, which offers emergency barge and foot-passenger transportation during Washington State Ferry (WSF) service disruptions, as well as daily travel to and from the mainland (Anacortes). These services are provided free of charge to passengers, subsidized by emergency funding awarded by the Governor’s Office. The pilot project’s last day of service is Monday, June 30, 2025.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The pilot project demonstrates innovation in transportation infrastructure by providing alternative marine transport solutions during ferry disruptions.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – By ensuring reliable and accessible transportation, the project supports resilient and sustainable community connectivity.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Promoting marine transportation alternatives contributes to reducing carbon emissions associated with land-based travel.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The project exemplifies collaboration between county government, private operators, and the Governor’s Office to enhance community services.

Project Impact and Future Planning

County Council Chair Kari McVeigh expressed pride in the County’s efforts to provide temporary transportation alternatives and emphasized the importance of analyzing usage data collected over the 10-week pilot period. This data will inform future transportation planning and service improvements.

Community Engagement and Feedback

Residents and users of the service are encouraged to share their experiences and feedback through the County’s online Feedback Tool. The collected input will be reviewed and presented during the County Council meeting scheduled for July 15, 2025.

Available Services During the Final Week

1. Daily Passenger Service: Provided by San Juan Safaris, offering travel to Friday Harbor, Orcas, Lopez, and Anacortes. The schedule and booking information are available on the San Juan Safaris website.
2. Emergency Services: In case of WSF disruptions, Outer Island Excursions will provide emergency interisland passenger service, and Pintail Marine may offer emergency barge service.

How to Participate and Access Information

• Booking and Schedule: Visit the operators’ websites for seat reservations, schedules, pickup/drop-off locations, and FAQs.
• Feedback Submission: Use the County’s Feedback Tool to provide comments on the pilot project.
• Project Details: Comprehensive information about the pilot project is available at San Juan County Emergency Transportation Services.

Contact and Support

Questions regarding the pilot project can be directed through the County’s feedback platform. For inquiries related to routes, bookings, and operational details, users should contact the respective service operators directly.

Conclusion

The San Juan County Marine Transportation Services Pilot Project represents a significant step toward sustainable and resilient transportation infrastructure, supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Community participation and feedback remain vital as the County evaluates the pilot’s outcomes to enhance future transportation services.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article discusses the pilot project for marine transportation services, focusing on emergency and daily passenger transport alternatives, which relates to building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The provision of emergency transportation services and daily passenger services supports inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable transport systems for the community.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • While not explicitly stated, the promotion of marine transportation alternatives can contribute to reducing carbon emissions by providing efficient transport options, which aligns with climate action goals.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The collaboration between San Juan County, the Governor’s Office, and private operators (San Juan Safaris, Outer Island Excursions, Pintail Marine) highlights partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Utilization Data of Transportation Services
   • The article mentions analyzing data on how the emergency and daily passenger services were utilized over the 10-week pilot project. This implies indicators such as:
     • Number of passengers served
     • Frequency of service usage
     • Service reliability during disruptions
2. Community Feedback and Satisfaction
   • The use of a feedback tool to collect community experiences and comments suggests indicators related to user satisfaction and service effectiveness.
3. Emergency Service Availability
   • Availability and responsiveness of emergency barge and passenger services during ferry disruptions can be measured as an indicator of resilience and reliability.
4. Partnership Effectiveness
   • Indicators could include the number and quality of collaborations between government and private operators, as well as the successful implementation of joint services.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: theorcasonian.com