The Alaska Department of Transportation announced reductions to ferry service in the coming months in response to a decrease in travelers. In recent weeks, the Tazlina has been nearly empty as it sails in Lynn Canal.
When the summer sailing schedule was initially released, before COVID-19 concerns were widespread, Haines had been scheduled to receive four or five ferries a week between April and September. Under the department’s new sailing schedule, Haines will receive roughly two visits a week through the end of June.
At the beginning of April, DOT said social-distancing measures designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 would delay safety inspections necessary to return the Columbia, Kennicott and Tustumena to service. The department said vessels were tentatively scheduled to resume service in mid-May.
However, the Alaska Marine Highway schedule released last week indicates that the Tustumena, the next mainliner scheduled to return to service, will do so on June 2. The Kennicott will return at the end of June and the Columbia, July 1.
The department said the new sailing schedule is based on “passenger demand, crew availability and state and federal guidelines for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
DOT said it will continue to adjust service levels as the situation changes. The schedule is likely to remain at a reduced level until “travel restrictions are relaxed and demand returns for passenger service.”
DOT did not respond to questions about whether further reductions could be expected if ticket sales remain low.