Tariff Commission Approves System and Additional Interisland Increase, Nixes Summer Surcharge

Lance Evans, Executive Director of the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce announced this afternoon, Sept. 8:

The Washington State Transportation Commission met today in Seattle to hold a public hearing and vote on various new fare proposals for the ferry system.  Of interest to Orcas Islanders were the following:

• General Fare Increase of 2.5% for most of the ferry system.  This was approved.
• An additional 5.0% increase in fares for the San Juan Islands interisland route (resulting in a total 7.5% increase). This was approved.
• A new 10% Summer Season Surcharge (end of June to Labor Day) for vehicle & passenger single ticket purchases on all routes.  This was not approved.

The Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce ‘attended’ the meeting telephonically in order to provide public comment.  Your Chamber testified that the proposed 10% Summer Season Surcharge would be a hardship on residents unable to purchase multi-ride cards who need to travel off-island during that time.  It was also noted that our visitors to the island shouldn’t have to bear an additional cost – one that might deter them from even making the trip.San Juan County Council member Howie Rosenfeld also provided similar testimony.  The Transportation Commission felt the issue of Tariff Route Equity was a deciding factor in approving the interisland fare increase (length and fares of trips within the San Juans were not priced in sync with other routes in the system).

The new fares will go into effect on October 11, 2009.

Please let the Chamber know if you have any questions about the above.

The Chamber can be reached at 376-2273, or at www.orcasislandchamber.com