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.

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/.