COUPEVILLE — State transportation commissioners will be in Coupeville on Tuesday to hear from ferry riders on a plan to hike fares this year and next.
The public meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Coupeville Inn.
Commissioners are proposing
a package of changes which will result in higher prices for most of those who walk or drive on board.
They want to raise fares across-the-board by an average of 2.5 percent on Oct. 1 and another 3 percent in May 2012. The increases are expected to generate roughly $310 million in new revenue for Washington State Ferries through mid-2013.
The proposal includes a new 25-cent surcharge on each ticket to help pay for building new boats. The Legislature approved this surcharge earlier this year.
Another change would give a price break to drivers of the smallest cars on the road.
Starting Oct. 1, there would be categories for vehicles under 14 feet in length, which covers the newest small car models on the market, such as a Honda Fit; from 14 feet to 22 feet, which covers the majority of passenger cars; and then 22 feet to 30 feet. Beyond that, existing categories are unchanged.
Under the proposal, drivers of the shortest cars would pay less than they do today.
Right now, drivers of cars less than 20 feet long pay a one-way fare of $7.20 on the Mukilteo-Clinton route. Under the proposal, drivers of the shorter vehicles would pay a base fare of $6.60 while drivers of standard-sized vehicles — 14 feet to 22 feet — would pay a base fare of $7.35.
Another component of the plan would eliminate the annual bicycle permit and a final piece calls for creating a means to add a fuel surcharge when gas prices soar to unexpectedly high levels.
In the next two weeks, commissioners will hold seven public meetings on the proposed changes. They plan a final hearing followed by a vote Aug. 24 in Seattle.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com
Fare meeting
What: Public meeting on fare hike proposal
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Coupeville Inn, 200 Northwest Coveland St.
The fare hike proposal and schedule of public meetings can be found online at http://tinyurl.com/3qjl64a
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