OLYMPIA — Washington State Ferries officials are recommending a 2.5 percent fare increase for vehicles and a 1 percent fare increase for passengers in a continued effort to fully fund and employ the system.
The Kitsap Sun reports that the proposed fare increases were presented to the Transportation Commission in Spokane on Tuesday.
The Legislature calculated a 2.5 percent across-the-board increase Oct. 1 and another a year later would generate $357 million in fares it needs for the 2015-17 transportation budget. A lower passenger rate hike will not fund the program. But the ferries system proposed to make up the difference with the second fare increase May 1 instead of Oct. 1.
Public meetings will be held on the proposal in July. It would become official at a public hearing Aug. 4.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.