Yesterday, we travelled into Seattle with newfound friends. We walked on the ferry, then caught the bus to the Arboretum at the University of Washington. And, boy, were we impressed with the entire system!
First of all, it cost us nothing to leave Vashon. (As with the ferry to Gabriola, the fare from the 'mainland' covers your return trip from the island.).
When we arrived in Fauntleroy, we caught the 'C' bus right at the end of the ferry line. Bus fare is a mere $2.50 regardless of the number of zones or how many times you have to transfer buses. The bus was a Rapid-bus and took us downtown in no time at all. There, we hopped off and a few minutes later caught another bus which took us straight to the entrance to the Arboretum.
When it came time to return to Vashon, we hopped back on the bus (another $2.50) and got a transfer. At the city centre switched back to the Rapid-bus using our transfers. Now comes the first nifty bit: Part way there, we got off the bus and made a stopover to sehave a beer and buy some bread. We then proceeded back onto the bus, again using the same transfer. There was no cost for making the stop! (Imagine if you wanted to do that on a BC Transit bus!)
Back at the ferry dock, this time we had to purchase tickets to get back onto Vashon. Fare? As seniors - even non-resident seniors like us - $2.65.
TOTAL TRAVEL TIME: Perhaps two hours for all legs of the journey.
TOTAL COST FOR THE DAY; $7.65 each to go from Vashon to the university and back again. Now here's the kicker. Washington seniors are issued a special card that they can scan into the system at each step of the way. This gives them access to the buses and the ferry for $1 cach leg. So our American friends spent only $3.00 cach for the entire trip. And, actually, they spent only $2 each because the digital card-reader on the bus wasn't working, so they got to ride free.
Now we understand why they hop over to Seattle for all kinds of reasons - to go shopping, to get their hair cut, to go to Mariners' games, etc. - all activities which bring money into the city. Gee, imagine!
Wouldn't it be lovely if BC Transit and BC Ferries could do such a great job of coordinating systems and making it extremely affordable in the process?