There has been a lot of discussion recently about ferry fares, operating costs, ridership and how the County should set fares in the future.

On Tuesday, September 22 at 8:30 a.m., the Skagit County Commissioners will hold the public hearing on the proposed 2027 Guemes Island Ferry fare schedule. This is the formal opportunity for ferry users to put their comments into the public record before the Commissioners deliberate and decide on the fare proposal on October 20.

Several island organizations have already submitted and circulated comments. We appreciate this engagement and the Ferry Committee wants to make sure everyone knows that this is the time to be heard.

A number of larger questions have emerged from the discussion: 

• Should fares increase again while the County is reconsidering its fare-setting methodology? 
• Should future calculations rely more heavily on several years of actual accounting records instead of budgets and projections? 
• How should the County account for the effect higher prices may have on ridership and fare revenue? 
• Should multi-ride or other fare options encourage greater use of the ferry? 
• And what ongoing role should ferry users have in reviewing fares, budgets and operational decisions before proposals reach the Commissioners?

These are questions about more than the price of a ticket. They are questions about how we create a ferry system that is financially understandable, operationally sustainable and responsive to the people who depend upon it.

You do not need to be an accountant or ferry expert to comment. You know how you use the ferry. You know whether your travel habits have changed. You know how fares affect your daily decisions. And you may have a perspective on what would make the system work better.

A short comment is enough.

• Public hearing: Tuesday, September 22, 8:30–10:00 a.m., Commissioners’ Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, with Zoom participation available through the County.
• Written comments: ferrycomments@co.skagit.wa.us
• Subject line: Ferry 2027 Fare Proposal
• Commissioner deliberation and decision: October 20, 8:30 a.m.

A useful comment can be very simple: introduce yourself, explain briefly how you use or experience the ferry, identify the issue that matters most to you, and tell the Commissioners what you believe they should consider before October 20.

You don’t need to cover everything.

One thoughtful observation or one constructive idea can be valuable.

The Ferry Committee has spent considerable time this year looking at fare methodology, operating expenses, ridership, financial reporting and the larger question of how ferry users and County government can work together more effectively. We believe those conversations are most productive when the community has good information and an opportunity to participate before decisions are made.

Tuesday is one of those opportunities.

Whether your concern is fares, affordability, operating costs, ridership, multi-ride tickets, the fare formula, service levels, or how the community participates in ferry decisions, please consider putting your thoughts into the public record.

You can review the County’s 2027 fare documents, hearing information and participation instructions here: Skagit County 2027 Ferry Budget and Fare Proposal

Thank you for staying engaged.