WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Commission wants input on ferry fuel surcharge
Jessie Stensland reports:
The Washington State Transportation Commission is seeking public input on a possible fuel surcharge to be added to ferry fares that could add up to 10% to the price.
They Said It
State Rep. Dave Paul, however, said that while input is good, riders shouldn’t freak out about a possible cost increase.
“There are a lot of options out there,” he said. “It’s just a process they have to go through.”
While fuel prices have been unpredictable, Paul explained that a surcharge may not be necessary. State Ferries does a good job of planning ahead for fuels costs, he said, and the number of “alternative schedules” due to ferry staffing problems has saved fuel.
[Ed. Note: The following is from the Washington State Transportation Commission website.]
The public can now weigh in on whether a fuel surcharge should be added to ferry fares and how it could be applied. 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:
- Email the commission at: transc@wstc.wa.gov
- Provide feedback via the commission’s online comment form
