The following was submitted by the Orcas Ferry Landing.

The ferry reservation system begins Jan.  5. This does not mean you have to make reservations to travel off-island – only that it is an option. However, how vehicles are handled at the Orcas ferry terminal will change on Jan. 5.

Every vehicle coming through the landing must now stop at the booth in the upper lot, whether you are traveling inter-island or to Anacortes, whether you have reservations or not. This includes medical priorities, and folks who need the elevator or restroom.

Please slow down and be alert as you turn off the county road and enter the access lanes into the terminal – there may be a ferry worker out on the road or in the access lanes stopping and sorting out traffic. This includes anyone driving through the access lanes who is not going to the ferry.

To expedite things, have your reservation info readily accessible and in hand. Use the county road to enter the access lanes, rather than coming up the hill by the Orcas Hotel. We need to keep everyone in line in the order in which they arrive, and coming up by the hotel will be considered cutting in line.

Medical priorities, be aware that you will now need to make reservations through the reservation system, rather than relying on your medical priority status.