A proposed fare hike for travelers on Washington State Ferries will be the subject of three public hearings in July, including one on Whidbey Island.
The Washington State Transportation Commission is considering a proposal to boost the base price of one-way travel on Oct. 1, 2015, and again May 1, 2016.
As designed, the increase would generate $357 million for ferry operations through June 30, 2017. The impetus for the price hike comes from state lawmakers who assumed additional revenue from a fare hike in the two-year transportation operations budget approved last month.
Commissioners are considering a 2.5 percent fare increase for vehicles and a 1 percent fare increase for passengers in cars and walk-ons. These would occur this fall and next spring.
Another proposed change is the elimination of an over-height surcharge for vehicles less than 22 feet in length
A public hearing is scheduled July 8 on Whidbey Island. It is set to run from 6-8 p.m. at the Clinton Community Hall, 6411 Central Ave. in Clinton.
Hearings also are planned July 7 in Friday Harbor and July 22 in Bremerton. In addition, an online meeting will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. July 13. Details on how to participate will be posted on the commission’s website: http://wstc.wa.gov/.
Final action is expected at the commission’s Aug. 4 meeting in Seattle.
If you cannot attend one of the public hearings, you can email comments to the commission at transc@wstc.wa.gov. Be sure to put “Ferry Fares” in the subject line.
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