Transportation commission sets new ferry fares, makes changes to original proposal

August 7, 2017 4:35 pm
Transportation commission sets new ferry fares, makes changes to original proposal

Submitted by WA Department of Transportation

The Washington State Transportation Commission took final action on ferry fare increases on Wednesday, July 26. These will be implemented over the next two years. The commission made changes to its original proposal in response to public input, which resulted in benefits to passengers and bicyclists.

The commission formed a decision after listening to ferry riders during local community meetings, reviewing hundreds of emails, and gathering input from key stakeholders.

The commission is required to ensure ferry fares generate $381 million in operating revenue between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019. This is required by the recently passed two-year state transportation budget for Washington State Ferry operations. The commission’s fare proposal accomplished that, however, increases to passenger fares and bicycles with trailers generated the most concern from the public. In response to those concerns, the commission reduced the passenger fare increase in 2017 from 2.5 percent, to 2.1 percent. It also applied a fare increase to bikes towing a kayak or canoe; this does not change the fare for bicyclists towing other types of trailers.

The final ferry fare adjustments will take effect as follows:

Oct. 1, 2017

• 2.9 percent fare increase for small and standard sized vehicles

• 0.8 percent to 1.8 percent fare increase for oversized vehicles (22 feet and longer), depending on vehicle size

• 2.1 percent fare increase for passengers

Passengers who bring bicycles towing kayaks or canoes will pay the motorcycle/stowage fare. All other bicyclists towing items other than a kayak or canoe would continue to pay the same fare as today (bicycle surcharge plus the passenger fare).

Oct. 1, 2018

• 2.5 percent fare increase for small and standard sized vehicles

• No fare increase for oversized vehicles (22 feet and longer)

• 2.1 percent fare increase for passengers

• School group passengers fare will increase from $1 per group for a one-way trip to $5 per group for a one-way trip

For info, visit www.wstc.wa.gov.