SEATTLE — The cost to ride a Washington state ferry goes up Tuesday, as rate increases approved back in 2023 will officially take effect.
The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) approved an overall 4.25% rate hike that went into effect on Oct. 1, 2023, with a second overall 4.25% increase to go into effect Oct. 1, 2024.
For popular routes like Edmonds-Kingston, Seattle-Bremerton and Seattle-Bainbridge Island, the regular passenger fare will rise 40 cents to $10.25. For those who drive on, a standard-size vehicle will now cost $18.65. For the full breakdown of the cost increase for each route, click here.
This second consecutive year of fare increases helps Washington State Ferries (WSF) meet legislatively-directed funding goals. The budget requires $418.6 million to be generated from fares in the two-year period from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025. WSTC needs an additional $28.8 million in fare revenues, prompting the increases, the agency said.
WSTC said 57% of WSF's ferry operations are funded by fare revenues, while the other 43% come from statewide tax revenues.
The agency said it is operating with just over half the boats it needs to service the Puget Sound area and is also continuing to navigate a staffing crisis. There were many delays and cancellations during the warmer months of 2024.
Help is on the way, as Gov. Jay Inslee has said $1.5 million in emergency funding is going to support inter-island transportation.
In May, 38 state leaders sent a letter to congress requesting urgent funding for WSF in the 2025 fiscal year, hoping to get the system back to full service.
WSF itself said it doesn't plan to return to full service until at least 2028, when the first new ferry vessels, currently under construction, are expected to sail.