Higher ferry fares proposed

ferry

System-side proposed ferry fare increases would mean higher fares for both passengers and vehicles between Anacortes and the San Juan Islands, with a 4.1-percent hike proposed for the Anacortes-Sydney, B.C. route.

Here is a summary of the proposed changes – all would take effect on October 1, 2013, unless otherwise noted:

Across-the-board general-fare increase: 2 percent increase on passenger fares and 3 percent increase on vehicle fares; 2 percent increase on passenger fares and 2.5 percent increase on vehicle fares on May 1, 2014.

Fare increase for the Anacortes-Sidney, BC route: 4.1 percent increase on Anacortes-Sidney vehicle and passenger fares; 2.5 percent increase on Anacortes-Sidney vehicle and passenger fares on May 1, 2014.

Consolidate the current one-way fares to and from Friday Harbor and Sidney, BC, into one round-trip fare.

Complete implementation of a three-phase plan that was started in 2011, providing reduced fares for smaller vehicles. In this final phase, the vehicle fare for cars less than 14 feet will be charged 70 percent of the vehicle fare charged for standard vehicles (14 feet to less than 22 feet).

Eliminate the motorcycle oversize surcharge. Vehicles that currently pay the motorcycle oversize surcharge will pay either the under 14 feet vehicle fare or the motorcycle fare depending on their size.

Increase the youth discount from the current 20 percent off the full fare, to 50 percent off the full fare.

The WSTC is holding several public meetings in ferry-served communities to gather comments. Meeting dates and locations are as follows (further details are on the WSTC web site linked below):

  • Monday July 8 – San Juan Islands Interisland Ferry (in the afternoon) and Anacortes (in the evening in the City Council chambers)
  • Wednesday, July 10 – Coupeville
  • Thursday, July 11 – Vashon Island
  • Monday, July 15 – Bainbridge Island
  • Tuesday, July 16 – Port Orchard

The Commission is expected to make a final decision on the proposed changes at their final hearing on July 30th at 3:00 pm in Seattle at Union Station. The public will be able to testify at the final hearing as well.