Introducing FerryFriend 5 and FerryBestFriends
Dear FerryFriend Users,
I'm excited to announce the upcoming version of FerryFriend. It's been in beta testing for over a year now while it's design and features have all been finalized. I'm hoping to have an official launch in December. One of the biggest features coming to the app is support for two new ferry agencies, King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Transit Fast Ferries! This has been one of our most requested features for a very long time. Additionally this update brings a bunch of other new features:
- A redesigned and modern user interface
- A new logo and mascot (the WSF centric logo had to be retired)
- Sailing allotments for Lopez Island
- Low tide warnings for people traveling with large vehicles or trailers
- Vessel load indicators for the triangle route (Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth)
- A warning if you are likely reading the schedule backwards
- New an improved push alerts including alert filtering to cut down on noise
- App caching improvements so schedule data is always available even when WSDOT is down
- High priority alerts shown on the home screen and schedule screens so you don't miss important updates
- And much more!
In FerryFriend 5 I will be introducing an in-app subscription for some features which you can read about below.
I created FerryFriend a decade ago because I was frustrated with the Washington State Ferries' confusing information system. My goal was simple: make ferry travel easier for everyone who depends on it. What began as a personal solution has grown beyond my wildest expectations, now serving tens of thousands across Puget Sound. As FerryFriend has evolved from a small passion project, it's grown into something that requires significant time and resources to maintain.
For eight years, I covered all the expenses myself. Two years ago, when I reached out for help, many of you stepped up through Patreon, making this project sustainable for the first time. Your support has meant everything.
Since day one, FerryFriend has been completely free. I've always believed in keeping it ad-free, and that won't change. However, I've reached a turning point. To keep improving FerryFriend and ensure its future, I need to find a sustainable balance between my investment in the project and its ability to support itself.
Starting in the next couple of months, FerryFriend will introduce free and paid tiers. I'll transition from Patreon to a simple in-app subscription model. As a FerryBestFriend (our supporter tier), you'll get access to favorite routes, delay predictions, and new premium features I'm developing. The subscription options remain the same as Patreon: $3, $5, $10, $15, $25, and $100 monthly, all offering identical benefits.
FerryFriend will continue to be useful and functional as a free app, with features you won't find in the WSDOT or any other app. And for those who rely on premium features but can't afford the $3 monthly subscription, I'm creating a way to access these features at a reduced or no cost.
I know changes like this can be frustrating, and I haven't made this decision lightly. I want to hear your thoughts - please send your feedback and questions to support@ferryfriend.com. I personally read and respond to every message.
Thank you for being part of this journey,
Jordan Soltman
Vashon Island