Jessie Stensland reports from the Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) meeting of Wed., Oct. 22, 2025 for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Summary by Perplexity.ai
Whidbey Island leaders are protesting rising ferry fares, noting that Clinton-Mukilteo riders seem to be unfairly subsidizing others. An open letter drafted by Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon (D-Langley) and supported by local officials urges the Washington State Transportation Commission to eliminate the planned fare increases, which total over 20% for credit card payments by September 2026. Since 2011, fares have increased much faster than inflation. The letter highlights the essential role ferries play for Whidbey residents, commuters, and businesses, and criticizes the lack of effective outreach before increases took effect. Leaders also request commercial trucks be exempt from the summer surcharge hike.
They Said It
“We understand the need to increase revenue for WSDOT,” the letter states. “We do not understand why the responsibility for doing so is being borne unevenly by Whidbey Island ferry passengers. To us, this is comparable to charging a fee to citizens who use Highway 5 to drive to work.”
“The thing we’re trying to impress on you is we are not only a tourism destination,” the letter states. “Whidbey Island is home to 70,000 Washington residents who live and work there. The ferry is our highway to work, to school, and to professional care.”
