Two Rate Increases Proposed for Washington State Ferries

People traveling by ferry between Edmonds and Kingston may soon have to pay between 4 and 5.5 percent more to make the crossing.

The Washington State Transportation Commission has proposed a round of across-the-board increases it says are necessary to ensure the state ferry system meets revenue targets set by the legislature during the most recent budget cycle.

The plan calls for a 2-percent passenger rate increase and 3-percent vehicle fare increase in October, followed by another 2-percent passenger increase and 2.5-percent vehicle increase in May 2014.

The bumps would push fares on the Edmonds-Kingston line from a current one-way base rate of $12.90 to $13.30 in October and $13.65 in May for standard vehicles during the non-peak season, not including a 25-cent capital surcharge. 

Passenger fares would jump from $7.45 roundtrip to $7.60 in October and $7.75 in May without the surcharge. Tables with more examples of proposed increases can be found here.

A series of public hearings on the fare increases will take place this month. The nearest meetings to Edmonds are at Union Station in Seattle at 3 p.m. on July 30 and at the Bainbridge Island Commons Senior Center at 6 p.m. on July 15.

Comments are also being accepted via e-mail at transc@wstc.wa.gov, on the commission's website, by phone at 360-705-7070, or by mail:

WSTC Fare Proposal
PO Box 47308
Olympia, WA 98504-7308