EDMONDS — Prepare for some sticker shock on the Edmonds-Kingston ferry route.
Starting May 1, roundtrip fare for a couple will be about $55.
It’s almost peak ferry season.
Soon you’ll have to pay more — and wait more — to ride a ferry.
The annual peak surcharge fee starts May 1 for vehicles on other routes, not just Edmonds-Kingston.
The standard vehicle and driver roundtrip fare on that route is now $35.80, or $17.90 each way. It will increase to $44.50, or $22.25 each way. Passenger fare is $9.85, charged on the mainland side only.
The surcharge is not added to multi-ride or passenger rates, which remain the same. Seniors ride for half price. Youth 18 and under ride free on all routes.
The vehicle fee for Mukilteo-Clinton increases to $26.60 roundtrip, up from $21.50. One-way goes from $10.75 to $13.30. An option is to take the scenic route and drive around through Deception Pass, especially when wait times are long.
Expect to wait an hour or two and sometimes three during busy travel times, typically afternoons and evenings on weekends as people go to the island to frolic.
The surcharge helps the ferry system stay afloat.
“We carry 50% more customers in the summer than the winter,” said Ian Sterling, Washington State Ferries spokesperson. “This is something really aimed at tourists and casual users of the system. For commuters, they can get a break by those buying multi-ride tickets, which stay the same.”
Vehicle reservations can be made only on the Port Townsend-Coupeville boat and Anacortes-San Juan Islands routes, which go to San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Shaw Island and Lopez Island. Reservations are not required on these routes, but are strongly recommended. Reservations are not taken for walk-ons or bicycles.
Fare from Anacortes to Friday Harbor, now $57.55, will increase to $77.50 for the standard vehicle roundtrip on May 1. Adult passengers pay $15.85.
Check state Department of Transportation online at wsdot.wa.gov or load the WSDOT app to plot your ferry trip before you go. The app also has traffic maps, mountain passes and U.S.-Canadian border crossings.
Buying ferry tickets in advance or using an ORCA card lets you breeze through the tollbooth with a single scan. The drivers behind will thank you.
The peak season surcharge runs through Sept. 30.
But before you get too excited: On Oct. 1, the state commission’s 4.25% general fare increase for passengers and vehicles starts.
Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterbrown.
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