Peak season ferry fares start Thursday

Ferry riders won't be hit with the annual double whammy this year.

May 1 is when fare increases and peak-season surcharges generally kick in. The Legislature, however, has frozen fares until at least Sept. 1, 2009, leaving just the 25 percent surcharge to take effect on Thursday.

The increase applies only to full-fare car-and-driver rates, about one-fourth of the system's users. The price of passenger fares and fares for those with frequent-user passes remains the same.

For regular Kingston-Edmonds, Bainbridge Island-Seattle and Bremerton-Seattle routes, peak fares mean a jump from $11.55 to $14.45 for passengers with cars. For Southworth customers, getting to Fauntleroy will cost $11.15 instead of $8.90 each way, and the hop over to Vashon Island will be $14.45 for a round trip instead of $11.55.

During the late spring and summer, there is more demand for car space as tourists and recreational users join the ferry-riding ranks. In July, August and September of last year, there were 3 million vehicles, 27 percent more than the 2.4 million that drove on in January, February and March. The higher peak-season prices reflect the premium space.

The surcharge expires the second Sunday of October, which this year will be Oct. 12.

The Kitsap Sun is a media partner of KOMO News. For the complete story and a list of fare increases, click here.