Island Transit pondering decision to charge fares

COUPEVILLE — Leaders of Island Transit know what must be done to receive state money to restart a popular commuter route to Everett.

Now they must decide if they want to do it.

State lawmakers agreed earlier this year to give Island Transit roughly $500,000 for the Everett Connector which, until its cancellation in June 2014, carried passengers between Camano Island, Stanwood and Everett Station.

But the state won’t send any of the money until it’s assured the district is covering some of its operating expenses with revenue from fares.

The Office of Financial Management informed the board earlier this month that the district must put policies in place to ensure a farebox recovery ratio of at least 8 percent of the district’s operating costs. For example, it would work out to $856,000 in this year’s district budget which has $10.7 million in operating expenses.

The state agency isn’t dictating how much to charge nor is it requiring fares be collected on any specific routes. Island Transit leaders will make those decision if they want the money.

And they may not. Today, Island Transit does not make bus riders pay a fare except those traveling in vanpools and directors have not decided whether they’re ready to abandon that tradition.

“It’s a culture change for even one route,” said Ken Graska, Island Transit’s interim executive director. “They want to adequately review all the strings that are attached.”

Island Transit started out fare-free in December 1987 and has been fare-free ever since. Its leaders have long insisted fares are contrary to the mission of providing efficient and convenient services for all county residents. Past leaders argued that collecting a fare generated virtually no extra revenue once all the costs associated with the collection system are subtracted.

The district survives on a share of the sales tax, state and federal grants and periodic earmarks in the state’s transportation budget.

Earlier this year the Board of Directors began talking about the possibility of implementing fares. At a study session Aug. 10, directors decided to gather a whole bunch of information on what other districts charge, which fare collection devices are best to use and how this would affect the overall timing of the bus schedule.

The state Department of Transportation is going to help get answers. Brian Lagerberg, director of the public transportation division, attended the study session at which he offered to assist Graska.

Island Transit is not under pressure to act quickly. The state money is included in the 2015-17 transportation budget which means it is available until June 30, 2017.

“It is all up to Island Transit,” said Rep. Dave Hayes, R-Stanwood, who authored the amendment to provide money for the Everett Connector.

“I think it’s motivating them to consider fares on the route. It is my feeling they are moving to farebox recovery systemwide and this may help get them there faster,” he said. “I hope that’s what they do.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Lynnwood
Crash in Lynnwood fully blocks Highway 99

The crash, on Highway 99 at 176th Street SW, fully blocked southbound lanes. Traffic was diverted to 168th Street SW.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett will welcome new CEO in June

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Kelli Littlejohn, who was 11 when her older sister Melissa Lee was murdered, speaks to a group of investigators and deputies to thank them for bringing closure to her family after over 30 years on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘She can rest in peace’: Jury convicts Bothell man in 1993 killing

Even after police arrested Alan Dean in 2020, it was unclear if he would stand trial. He was convicted Thursday in the murder of Melissa Lee, 15.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
Search underway to find missing Everett child, 4

Ariel Garcia was last seen Wednesday morning at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive.

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.