2021-2023 Ferry Fares Set
On Tuesday, August 10th the Commission took action to adjust ferry fares for the 2021/23 state budget cycle. The fares are set to meet requirements set forth in the Transportation Budget passed by the 2021 Legislature. The budget requires $377 million to be generated from fares over the two-year budget timeframe (July 1, 2021 – June 20, 2023), resulting in a need for an addition $9.2 million in fare revenues.
Fares to Increase by 2.5%
Based upon input from the public, Washington State Ferries, and the Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariffs (FAC-T) the following changes to ferry fares was adopted by the Commission:
- 2.5% increase applied to all fares on October 2021 and 2022
- The Commission adopted a policy change for how a vanpool is defined to ensure the policy matches current law. The adopted policy change decreases the required number of people to be considered a vanpool from the current five people, to three people, adjusting the fares accordingly.
The Fare Setting Process
- May 25/26: Commission online public input forum launched, and WSF online public meetings were held to gather input on fare change options
- June 15: Commission selected fare proposal
- June 16 – July 30 2021: Public comment period on the Commission’s fare proposal
- August 10, 2021: Commission held 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 proposed fare increase effects individual fares, you can review a fare impact summary as well as the detailed fare tables to learn more.