Washington State Ferries Fare Hikes Approved

SEATTLE, WA — The Washington State Transportation Commission on Tuesday approved two fare hikes for the Washington State Ferries system, the first increase in two years. The increases will be rolled out in October and next May, and will in part pay for the construction of a new ferry.

By next May, fares will increase 5 percent for vehicles, 4 percent for passengers, and 10 percent for oversize vehicles traveling the Anacortes to Sidney, B.C., route. The fare increases will come in two parts, with half the increase taking effect Oct. 1, the next half on May 1, 2020.

Also next May, a 25-cent charge will go into effect to pay for the construction of new ferries. In October, a 100 percent increase for reservation no-shows will go into effect.

The Commission also approved two measures that could make riding ferries easier. A three-year low-income fare pilot will go into effect in 2020 if the Legislature funds the effort. The Commission will also test allowing ferry riders to use the Good To Go pass to pay fares.