Case Study: Port of Bellingham achieves rapid emergency ferry scheduling with CivicPlus

Port of Bellingham Difference-Makers Innovate Solution to COVID-19 Transportation Challenge

The Port of Bellingham, a Washington government agency managing marinas, port facilities, an airport, and a ferry terminal, faced an urgent COVID-19 transportation challenge when border closures stranded Point Roberts residents and cut them off from essential services. To respond quickly, the Port turned to CivicPlus and its CivicEngage® platform, specifically the Activities feature, to create an emergency ferry reservation process.

CivicPlus implemented the system in just one day, replacing an overwhelmed manual process that relied on email, phone calls, and spreadsheets. The online reservation tool supported multi-leg trips, passenger limits, and social distancing requirements, helping the Port handle more than 500 reservation requests in the first week while saving staff time and making ferry access easier for residents.

Port of Bellingham

Tiffany DeSimone

Community Outreach Supervisor