Fall ferry schedule begins Sunday, Sept. 25; fares to increase Oct. 1

The fireworks are over; the beach blankets are back in the closet. The end of summer also means fewer Washington State Ferry passengers and annual sailing schedule changes. Customers will also see new fares beginning Saturday, Oct. 1.

September 16, 2011 2:34 pm

The fireworks are over; the beach blankets are back in the closet. The end of summer also means fewer Washington State Ferry passengers and annual sailing schedule changes. Customers will also see new fares beginning Saturday, Oct. 1.

The fall sailing schedule starts Sunday, Sept. 25. That means fewer ferries or sailings on some routes to match the reduced demand in fall. For example, the Anacortes/Sidney, B.C., route will go from two trips a day to one, and four vessels will serve the San Juan Islands instead of the summer’s five.

Last month the Washington State Transportation Commission adopted changes to WSF fares. The changes to be implemented Oct. 1 include:

• General fare increase of 2.5 percent

•  New fare category for vehicles less than 14 feet long

• Elimination of bicycle permits

• Per-ticket surcharge of 25 cents to help fund new vessel construction