10/27/2005: "Ferry Fares Down, But Will Increase??"

ig_Ed_Sutton-1 (24k image) (Ed Sutton warns BOCC of a possible increase in ferry fares)

WSF (Washington State Ferries) has released a statement that: "Travel to Orcas Island on a Friday for a car and driver will go from $39.60 to $29.30 round trip and the round-trip passenger fare will go from $12.20 to $10.10. The fares are even lower earlier in the week. Parking fees for the Anacortes Terminal parking area will also go away on Sunday. Free parking will be available at the terminal."

But what about the future? Ed Sutton, a member of the Ferry Advisory Committee appeared before the BOCC on Tuesday during Citizen Access time to warn the Commissioners that due to a 39 million shortfall in the ferry budget -due in part to the cost of fuel and oil- there are only four possible results. According to Mr. Sutton, the WSF can increase the rate it charges for tickets, or there can be service cutbacks in the number or sailings, or there can be new taxes, or they can -once again- move money from the capital expense budget to offset some of the operation costs.

At the end of presentation he made three recommendations to the Board: (1) BOCC Chair Kevin Ranker should attend the meetings to show our concern, (2) An ad hock committee should be formed, and (3) pressure should be put on the State Legislators.

According to Sutton, if the budget shortfall is not corrected, a car with three passengers can soon expect to pay as much as $110.00 for a trip from Anacortes to San Juan, and that this can have a negative impact on our local economy..