Transportation Commission Office – PO Box 47308 – Olympia, WA 98504-7308
Contact: Reema Griffith, WSTC Executive Director, 360-705-7070 (Olympia)
Tolling changes for transit vehicles on tolled bridges also adopted
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Transportation Commission has approved changes to state ferry fares, which will begin to go into effect this fall. Commissioners also implemented direction from the Legislature to no longer provide toll exemptions to transit vehicles on tolled bridges.
At its meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 6, the commissioners adopted ferry fare changes that will support meeting the $408.8 million revenue target set by the Legislature for the 2025-2027 biennium. The adopted fare changes will:
- Increase both vehicle and passenger fares by an average of 3 percent on Oct. 1, 2025, and again on May 1, 2026.
- Increase the summer peak season surcharge to 35 percent for all routes, aligning with the current rate for the San Juan Island-Anacortes ferry routes.
- Pilot an extended expiration date on multiride passes, from the current 90 days to 120 days, starting in May 2026.
The fare changes were developed based on a recommendation from Washington State Ferries and supported by the Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariff, a citizen group that advises WSF. More information on the fare-setting process and details on how these changes will impact specific fares can be found on the commission’s website, wstc.wa.gov.
The commission also voted to repeal toll exemptions for publicly and privately operated transit buses, vans and rideshare vehicles on tolled bridges – in accordance with a legislative mandate. The removal of the toll exemption for transit will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2025, and will apply only to the State Route 520 bridge and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Current toll exemptions offered to transit vehicles on the Express Toll Lane system and the State Route 99 tunnel will remain in effect.
Americans with Disabilities Act Information: Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by contacting the Commission Office at 360-705-7070 or by emailing transc@wstc.wa.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington State Relay at 711.
Title VI Notice to Public
It is the Washington State Transportation Commission’s policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its programs and activities. Any person who believes his or her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR). For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OECR’s Title VI Coordinator at (360) 705-7090.