OLYMPIA — The Washington State Transportation Commission is seeking public comment on a proposal to raise state ferry fares beginning in October.
The deadline for comments is 3 p.m. July 21.
The commission will conduct its final hearing at 10 a.m. July 26 in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s boardroom, 1011 Western Ave., Suite 500, Seattle. It is expected to take action and vote on the final fare and policy changes at this hearing.
Fares would increase over the next two years for state ferries, under the proposal. The proposal does not affect the MV Coho ferry, which is a private ferry.
The proposed increase must generate $381 million in operating revenue between July 1 of this year and June 30, 2019, as required in the recently passed two-year state transportation budget for Washington State Ferries operations, according to a news release.
As proposed, fares would increase Oct. 1 this year by 2.9 percent for small and standard-sized vehicles; 0.8 percent to 1.8 percent for oversized vehicles of 22 feet and longer, depending on vehicle size; and 2.5 percent for passengers.
Passengers who bring bicycles with trailers would see an increase as they begin paying the motorcycle/driver (stowage) rate instead of the combined passenger fare with bicycle surcharge
On Oct. 1, 2018, a 2.5 percent fare increase is proposed for small and standard-sized vehicles and 2.1 percent fare increase for passengers. No fare increase is proposed for oversized vehicles 22 feet and longer.
School group passengers’ fare would increase from $1 per group for a one-way trip to $5 per group for a one-way trip.
The commission proposed increases after considering input from Washington State Ferries and the Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariffs.
The commission will conduct four public input meetings. No action will be taken at these meetings.
No meetings are on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The meetings are:
• Bainbridge Island: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 6; Waterfront Park Community Center (Senior Center) Huney Hall, 370 Brien Drive S.E.
• Friday Harbor: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, July 10; San Juan County Administrative Office Building, Legislative Hearing Room, 55 Second St.
• Whidbey Island: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 11; Whidbey Telecom Community Media Conference Center, 1651 Main St. (Freeland).
• Vashon Island: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, July 17; Vashon Island High School Cafeteria, 9600 S.W. 204th St.
Written comment can be sent by email to transc@wstc.wa.gov, with “Ferry Fares” in the subject line; on the commission’s website at wstc.wa.gov/ContactUs/feedback.htm ; or by U.S. mail to the Washington State Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47308, Olympia, WA 98504-7308.
For more information, call 360-705-7070 or see www.wstc.wa.gov .
