State explains its process, reasoning, alternatives for adjusting ferry fares

The Commission has begun its process for adjusting ferry fares for the 2021-2023 biennium. The process will take a few months, and begins with recommendations from Washington State Ferries (WSF.)

Fare recommendations are based upon the Transportation Budget passed by the 2021 Legislature. The budget requires $377 million to be generated from fares over the two-year timeframe, which results in a need for an additional $9.2 million in fare revenues. This equates to an estimated 2.5% fare increase if applied across-the-board to all fares.

Fare Increase Options Under Consideration

On May 18, 2021 WSF presented fare change options (pdf 383kb)that will meet legislative funding requirements. A summary of options that will advance for public input are as follows:

Alternative 1: 2.5% increase applied to all fares on October 2021 and 2022

• Raises passenger and vehicle fares 2.5% in October of each year.
• This approach spreads the fare increase equally between vehicles and walk on passengers.

Alternative 2: Passenger fares remain unchanged in 2021 but increase in October 2022, and vehicle fares increase in 2021 & 2022

• Passenger fares do not increase in October 2021.
• Vehicle fares increase 3.1% in October 2021. 
• In 2022, both passenger and vehicle fares increase 2.5% in October. 
• This approach continues to encourage walk-on passengers which continue to be significantly below pre-pandemic levels.

How to Provide Comments

The Commission is currently gathering public input on the fare change options being considered, as outlined above. If you would like to comment, you can do so via our online public input forum.  Input will be gathered through June 10, 2021.

Share Your Comments
Ferry online input forum

After June 10, the Commission will select its fare change proposal and that information will be posted here for further comment.

Fare Setting Schedule

• May 25/26:  Commission online public input forum launches, and WSF online public meetings held to gather input on fare change options
• June 15:  WSF fare proposal submitted at Commission meeting
• By July 7, 2021:  Commission releases fare proposal
• July 2021:  Public comment period on the Commission’s fare proposal
• August 10, 2021 or later: Commission holds adoption hearing on fare proposal
• By August 30, 2021: Commission files final adopted fare changes
• October 1, 2021:  Adopted fare changes go into effect

Fare Tables

To see how the fare increase option effect individual fares, you can review the detailed fare tables (pdf 275kb)to learn more.