FERNDALE, Wash. — Officials with the Whatcom County Public Works Ferry Division announced today the Whatcom Chief would be making fewer runs between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island beginning Monday, March 23rd. Declining ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemic was cited as the reason for the schedule changes.
Adopting what officials referred to as a “modified dry dock schedule,” the ferry will be making 29 runs per day instead of the normal 39 runs. The change is expected to save fuel and give crews more time to clean.
Modified dry dock schedule provided by Whatcom County Public Works Ferry Division
Officials forewarned that a continued drop in ridership or government mandates may require going to a weekend/holiday schedule of 1 run per hour with additional runs as needed.