Commission OKs ferry fare hikes

Published 11:00 am Saturday, August 15, 2015

Fares for travel on Washington State Ferries will increase this October and also in May 2016.

The Washington State Transportation Commission unanimously agreed to raise fares after the final hearing on the increase proposal last week in Seattle.

The fare hike is expected to generate $357 million between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2017, as required in the 2015/17 state transportation budget for Washington State Ferries’ operations.

Four changes will take effect on Oct. 1:

• A 2.5 percent fare increase for vehicles;

• A 1 percent fare increase for passengers;

• The current over-height surcharge for vehicles less than 22 feet in length will be eliminated; and

• The over-height waiver currently in place for qualifying disability vehicles 22- to 30-feet long will be expanded to include any feature necessary to accommodate a disability on the vehicle, that may add height, rather than limiting it to a lift or other mechanism.

Three other changes will be implemented on May 1, 2016:

• A 2.5 percent fare increase for vehicles;

• A 1 percent fare increase for passengers; and

• The over-height fare threshold for vehicles 22- to 30-feet long will be reduced from the current 7 feet 6 inches, to 7 feet 2 inches.

The commission held three public input meetings in Friday Harbor, Whidbey Island and Bremerton before the final hearing Aug. 4.