Oregon Public Broadcasting

Alaska's Marine Highway System plans to increase sailings to Washington by 50 percent next summer.

The state-run ferry system runs one ship from Southeast Alaska to Bellingham and back every week. It plans to add extra trips every other week starting in May.

Transportation official Jim Beedle says travelers have asked for more service connecting Alaska with the Pacific Northwest.

Jim Beedle: "We think the ship is right and our customers are right that by connecting the population centers in Alaska, the Anchorage Railbelt, Fairbanks through Whitter, with a direct shot to Bellingham, that we can get a lot of passengers on that boat."

Alaska used to sail two ferries on the Bellingham route. But it reduced service in 2008 and diverted travelers to Prince Rupert, a port on the northern British Columbia coast.

Alaska's ferry system is smaller than Washington's, but covers longer routes between more distant and isolated communities. Its 11 ships carry about 320,000 passengers and 110,000 vehicles a year.

On the Web:

Alaksa Marine Highway System