Reduced ferry fares will only affect a few | LETTER TO THE EDITOR


May 18, 2012 · 9:36 AM

To the editor:

On May 1, Washington State Ferries says: “In an effort to encourage smaller vehicle use, allowing more room on the ferries, WSF is restructuring its rates to phase in discounts to drivers of vehicles under 14 feet long.”

But what the sneaky ferry folks don’t tell you is that there are only about four cars that measure LESS than 14 feet (the ferry guy used the Mini-Cooper as an example of a car under 14 feet).

My little Nissan Sentra is 14.17 inches by their laser measurement. So there is no distinction between my little Sentra and a monster truck that can sit atop of my car. The increase is a whopping 23.7 percent.

So much for incentivizing smaller vehicles. This increase, unlike the summer-time peak surcharge will not go away.

And a word of caution — if you haven’t been measured, you will be, even if you’re running late for the ferry. (Cars measured under 14 feet will be stickered. Non-stickered cars pay the higher rate.)

And if you purchased the wrong fare, they have no mechanism to charge you the difference, so you’ll need to repurchase your ticket at the new fare and apply for a refund via mail.

It’s messy and time-consuming.

JACKIE FABBRI

Bainbridge Island

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