Group talks reservations

Whidbey Island residents will have to take a ferry Wednesday to hear about how a new reservation system on the Port Townsend-to-Coupeville ferry route has been implemented.

Whidbey Island residents will have to take a ferry Wednesday to hear about how a new reservation system on the Port Townsend-to-Coupeville ferry route has been implemented.

The Vehicle Reservation System Partnership Group, which is organized by Washington State Ferries, meets from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St. in Port Townsend.

Partnership members will listen to an overview on how the new reservation system, titled “Save A Spot,” works and provide feedback to ferry system staff that is attending the meeting, according to Washington State Ferries.

The new reservation system, which requires a deposit to reserve a spot on the route that crosses Admiralty Inlet, became active in June. It was implemented as an attempt to ease congestion at ferry terminals, reduce the need for costly terminal expansions and reduce pollution from idling vehicles.

The Mukilteo-to-Clinton route has been excluded from the reservation system.