Kitsap Transit will introduce a free shuttle service on Bainbridge Island this summer to facilitate easier movement between the ferry terminal and the downtown district.
The service is designed to be highly accessible, featuring "flag down" zones on Ferncliff Avenue and High School Road.
This pilot serves as a feasibility study to determine if the presence of a free connector can change the behavior of tourists who typically congregate only on the blocks closest to the water.
By alternating directions each trip to meet incoming and outgoing Washington State Ferries, the route maximizes its utility for the thousands of passengers who arrive hourly during the summer weekends.
Previous attempts to manage this distance have included private trolleys and various foot-path improvements, but a consistent, free, city-funded shuttle represents a more formal public-sector commitment to the problem.
Kitsap Transit launches a free Winslow shuttle June 13 to reduce traffic and improve ferry terminal access for visitors and residents.