As part of the two-year state budget cycle, the State Legislature establishes how much revenue needs to be generated from ferry fares. The ferry fare revenue target for the upcoming two-year period (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027) is $408.8 million.
The legislature also directed the following, noting these are in addition to a general fare increase and do not contribute to the ferry fare revenue target:
- Increase the capital/vessel surcharge by 50 cents, to be applied to one-way and round-trip fares by October 1, 2025; and
- Apply a 3% fee to support cost recovery of processing credit card transactions by March 1, 2026.
Fare options under consideration
The WSTC is considering different options for adjusting fares to meet the legislature’s two-year ferry fare revenue target of $408.8 million:
| General Ferry Fare Adjustment | Multi-Ride Pass Adjustments | Summer “Peak” Season Surcharge Adjustments |
|---|---|---|
| Increase both vehicle and passenger fares by an average of 2.5% in October 2025 and again in October 2026. | Extend the expiration date on the multi-ride passes to 120 days (from the current 90 days). | Increase the summer “peak” season surcharge to 30% for all routes other than the San Juan Island routes (Anacortes to Lopez, Shaw, Orcas and Friday Harbor) which would remain unchanged at 35%. |
Fare setting schedule
- Late-May to early-June 2025: Public outreach on general fare changes under consideration.
- June 2025: The WSTC will select its final ferry fare proposal for the 2025-27 biennium.
- August 2025: The WSTC will hold a final hearing to adopt ferry fares and policies for the 2025-27 biennium.
- October 2025 & 2026: New ferry fares and policies are expected to take effect.
Ways to comment on possible 2025 fare changes
You can provide your feedback and comments to the Commission in a few different ways:
- Online Open House: CLOSED – June 9
- Email: transc@wstc.wa.gov
- Phone: 360-705-7070
- Mail: PO Box 47308, Olympia WA 98504-7308
- Commission Meeting on June 17/18
- Final Public Hearing: TBD – early August