MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Commission says ferry fuel surcharge is now up for discussion

Nov 14, 2022, 3:56 PM | Updated: 4:06 pm

ferry...

The Washington State Transportation Commission wants public input on the possibility of adding a ferry surcharge to fares. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)

(Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)

The Washington State Transportation Commission wants public input on the possibility of adding a fuel surcharge to fares.

In a release, the commission said the goal is to cover the costs of rising fuel prices.

However, because fuel costs have stabilized over the past year, the commission has never activated a surcharge.

Before prices calmed, there was a major uptick in costs.

The ferry fuel surcharge has been a possible funding tool available to the state since 2011 in the event fuel budgets fall short.

April 2022: Washington ferry ridership at highest since start of pandemic

The commission is hosting an online public input forum through Wednesday, Nov. 30. All input gathered will be shared with commission members at their virtual meeting scheduled for Dec. 13 and 14 and will help inform discussions around future ferry fuel funding needs during the upcoming 2023 Legislative session.

In addition to providing comments via the online forum, public comment on a possible ferry fuel surcharge can also be offered in the following ways:

For more information about the commission, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov/

 

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Commission says ferry fuel surcharge is now up for discussion