State ferry officials propose fare increases to make 2015-2017 budget

Alex Cnossen

Alex Cnossen Jun 22, 2025

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>State ferry officials propose fare increases to make 2015-2017 budget</h1>
                <h2><p>Washington State Ferries officials are recommending a 2.5 percent fare increase for vehicles and a 1 percent far increase for passengers in an attempt to more fully fund and employ the system.

The proposed increases were presented to the Transportation Commission in Spokane on Tuesday, The Kitsap Sun reports.</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/alex-cnossen-crosscut-com/">Alex Cnossen</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
            </header>
            <p>Washington State Ferries officials are recommending a 2.5 percent fare increase for vehicles and a 1 percent far increase for passengers in an attempt to more fully fund and employ the system.</p><p>The proposed increases were presented to the Transportation Commission in Spokane on Tuesday, <a href="http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/ferries-recommends-cars-pay-more-of-fare-increase_10305271?ref=avalancheghost.one">The Kitsap Sun reports</a>.</p><p>The Legislature calls for a 2.5 percent across-the-board increase on Oct. 1 and another a year later. According to WSF officials, this would generate the $357 million in fares they need to hit the 2015-2017 budget. A lower passenger rate hike will not fund the system. But the ferries system proposed to make up the difference with a second fare increase May 1 instead of Oct. 1</p><p>Public meetings will be held on the proposal in July. It would become an official public hearing Aug. 4.</p>
          </article>

Washington State Ferries officials are recommending a 2.5 percent fare increase for vehicles and a 1 percent far increase for passengers in an attempt to more fully fund and employ the system.

The proposed increases were presented to the Transportation Commission in Spokane on Tuesday, The Kitsap Sun reports.

The Legislature calls for a 2.5 percent across-the-board increase on Oct. 1 and another a year later. According to WSF officials, this would generate the $357 million in fares they need to hit the 2015-2017 budget. A lower passenger rate hike will not fund the system. But the ferries system proposed to make up the difference with a second fare increase May 1 instead of Oct. 1

Public meetings will be held on the proposal in July. It would become an official public hearing Aug. 4.

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By Alex Cnossen

Alex Cnossen is a Northwest native and has worked for several local publications, including KOMO, KIRO and KING-TV. He grew up in Portland and loves to run and write. Follow him on Twitter @CnossenAle