VASHON ISLAND, Wash. — A cyberattack on Tuesday has made portions of the Washington State Department of Transportation website and mobile app still unavailable.
One place where the cyber security incident is having an impact is on Vashon Island. On Thursday, resident Scott Mentink wanted to check the ferry schedule on his cell phone, but the website issues were still a problem.
"Unlike a lot of the other places around here, we don't have a bridge. It is only ferries,” said Mentink.
In a statement, WSDOT says, "The outages were caused by a cyber security incident that appeared aimed at interrupting the flow of travel-related information on the agency's public websites."
"The ferries are really important,” said Vashon Island resident Kim Nelson. “I was just over at Thriftway watching large trucks come in in the morning and unload. That is where we get the groceries."
According to Washington State Ferries, it has a ridership of more than 50,600 per weekday system-wide.
"We have had issues with the ferries the last few years. There have been a lot of delays. A lot of cancelations. And so, we have become more reliant on being able to check and see when they are actually running,” said Mentink.
Typically, he counts on WSDOT’s website for traffic cameras and updated schedules, but not today.
"I just came down, crossed my fingers, grabbed my cup of coffee and hoped that the ferries worked out, and same thing on the way back. You know, it is no way to run a railroad, but it is what we are doing now,” Mentink said.
WSDOT says the cause of the cyberattack is under investigation. The state agency says right now it does not appear that other systems were affected, or personal information accessed.
WSDOT recommends these resources while it works to resolve the problem:
- WSDOT's social media platforms are the best source for agency information related to real-time traffic. Check there for updates as digital services come back online.
- Statewide traffic cameras are again available to view on the WSDOT app; work to restore the camera webpage is still underway.
- Ferry schedules also are available on the WSDOT app.
- For information on passes – traffic cameras can be viewed on the WSDOT app. Travelers also can visit the National Weather Service for pass conditions and forecasts.
- Commercial vehicle permits are available in handwritten form at thirteen different locations across the state, visit the website for the updated list. Please check the business hours and call the office prior to arrival.