Ferry fares to rise next week

Ferry fares will rise starting Tuesday, May 1.

Washington State Ferries will pass along an across-the-board, 3-percent fare increase on all fares to help cover operating costs and meet revenue targets.

The increase will also take effect as the May 1-Sept. 30 peak season surcharge starts. The surcharge is a 25-percent increase on single-ticket vehicle fares on all routes, except for the San Juan Islands (where fares will increase 35 percent).

The 3-percent increase was approved last August by the state Transportation Commission during its annual review of ferry fares. This increase applies to all fare types, including vehicle/driver, walk-on and multi-ride cards.

WSF is required, under the state transportation budget, to meet an overall revenue target of $310 million in ferry fares between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2013.

On the Bainbridge-Seattle route, the regular fare for a standard vehicle and driver will be $16.40 during the peak season, and drop to $13.15 in October.

The new price for a regular passenger fare is $7.70.

Also beginning May 1, the discount for vehicles shorter than 14 feet increases from 10 percent to 20 percent of the standard-sized vehicle fare.

Smaller vehicles fares will still include the 3-percent fare increase and seasonal surcharge.

The peak season fare for a small vehicle and driver is $13.25. Starting after the end of the peak season in October, the fare is $10.55.

For more information on fares, visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/fares/.

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