 |
|
|
|
|
2009 Ferry Fares
Commission takes Action on Fare Proposal - Summer Surcharge Rejected
Message from the Chairman:
At our July 2009 meeting, the Washington State Transportation Commission approved a ferry fare increase proposal for the 2009/10 cycle. We approached this decision based on the results of the Long-Term Ferry Funding Study, input from Washington Sate Ferries, and input from members of various Ferry Advisory Committees. It is never easy to recommend a rate increase, however, we feel it is the Commission’s responsibility to recommend policies and take actions that ensure the ferry system remains sustainable and viable. But our decision to put this proposal forward was not made in a vacuum and will not be finalized without first hearing from you - we will be seeking your input so please get involved. Details on how you can comment on the proposal are provided below (see section titled "How Can I Comment on the 2009 Proposal?")
As we formulated this proposal, we did a lot of homework and found that the long-term future for WSF is uncertain at best. In reviewing the enacted 2009/11 budget for WSF, and applying the updated June transportation revenue forecast and related assumptions, the Commission questions the current financial plan as well as the most recent revenue outlook and ridership estimates. Here are some key facts that lead to our uncertainty:
- The WSF budget provides that fares should supply $306.8 million in operating revenue.
- In the 2007-09 biennium, fares produced approximately $292.9 million - this means the current 2009/11 budget is projecting an increase in revenues of about $14 million.
- The assumed 2.5% increase at best might yield $6 million for the 2009-11 biennium - that's $8 million short of the current budget expectation.
- Furthermore, the budget assumes a per gallon cost of $1.71 for ferry fuel - current costs are in excess of $2.00.
- The current budget appears to assume traffic will increase by more than 6.6% during 2009-11 - WSF projects projects a 2.8% increase for 09-11.
Additionally, we have experienced persistent underestimation of ferry costs and overestimation of ferry revenues for a number of years. These shortfalls have required the legislature to cover those amounts with supplemental budgets, even during times when there are no available funds to do so. While it is clearly within the legislature’s authority and discretion to take such action, our concern is that the supplemental funds are generated by reductions in or delays to the ferry system’s capital program or even possibly in our state’s highway program. As one of the stewards of the Transportation system, the Commission believes we should focus on sustainable practices instead of relying on short-term fixes that carry long-term impacts to our entire state. Because of this, we offer this fare proposal as a small step forward in trying to address the major funding challenges faced by our state's ferry system. Every penny truly counts.
Sincerely,
Carol Moser, Chairman
Washington State Transportation Commission
Highlights of the Commission's 2009 ferry fare proposal
- Applies a 2.5 percent across-the-board general fare increase
- Makes the in-need organization discount permanent (now a pilot program)
- Allows WSF to collect between 25 to 100 percent of the applicable fare as a non-refundable deposit for advance vehicle reservations on routes with a reservation system (after legislative approval). This would be a pre-payment of a portion of or the entire fare and is not an additional fee
- Eliminates the tollbooth surcharge for multi-ride fare purchases (which had not been implemented)
- Moves toward further implementation of tariff equity affecting San Juan inter-island fares by adding 5 percent on top of the 2.5 percent general increase
- Allows WSF flexibility to enter into agreements with fire districts for free passage when on emergency calls in lieu of payment for fire protection services at ferry terminals
- Applies a 10 percent “summer season surcharge” to only single fare purchases (not applicable to multi-ride/frequent user fares). The peak summer surcharge would be in effect between the end of June and the day after Labor Day
Sample Fare Amounts Under This Proposal
(for more detail refer to the complete fare proposal below)
Impact of the 2.5% general fare increase on Central Sound Routes:
- CURRENT full round-trip passenger fare = $6.70
- The 2.5% general fare increase raises this fare 20 cents
- NEW FARE = $6.90
- CURRENT one-way car and driver fare = $11.55
- The 2.5% general fare increase raises this fare 30 cents
- NEW FARE = $11.85
Impact of the 10% Summer Season Surcharge:
- CURRENT summer, full fare for car and driver = $14.45
- The 2.5% general fare increase plus the 10% summer season surcharge raises this fare $1.55
- NEW FARE = $16.00
Details On The Proposal
(pdf 197 kb)
The document linked above will provide you with a detailed, yet easy to understand overview of the full proposal.
Detailed Fare Tables (pdf 88 kb)
The link above will take you to a document that lists several fare tables displaying the specific fare impacts for various fare categories.
Complete 2009 Ferry Fare Proposal (pdf 264 kb)
Click on the link above to access the full text of the proposed amendments to the current ferry tariff WAC (Washington Administrative Code) along with the detailed fare tables.
How Can I Comment on the 2009 Proposal?
There are several ways you can share you comments. The first way is to do so in person - the Commission is holding three public input meetings and would like to encourage you to attend one of these meetings and share your comments with us. Dates, times and locations of the public input meetings are as follows:
-
Monday, August 31: San Juan Islands on board the Sealth (interisland ferry): departs Friday Harbor at 11:35 a.m., Orcas at 12:30 p.m., Shaw at 12:45 p.m., Lopez at 1:05 p.m., and returns to Friday Harbor at 1:55 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 1: Silverdale, 6 – 8 p.m.: Silverdale Beach Hotel, 3073 NW Bucklin Hill Road, Silverdale.
- Wednesday, September 2: Vashon Island, 6 – 8 p.m.: McMurray Middle School, Multipurpose room, 9329 Cemetery Road, Vashon.
A final public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. in Seattle at the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC), 1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500.
The Commission will take no action during the public input meetings. They are however, expected to vote to either adopt or modify the fare proposal following additional input at the public hearing in Seattle.
If you cannot attend the public input meetings or the hearing in Seattle, you can still get involved - just submit your comments to the Commission via letter, e-mail or telephone, no later than 5 p.m., Friday, September 4, 2009.
You can contact the Commission at:
WSTC
PO Box 47308
Olympia, WA 98504-7308
E-mail: transc@wsdot.wa.gov
Telephone: 360-705-7070
August 15, 2009 Fare Proposal Press Release & Fare Tables
|
