Skagit County proposes 14% ferry fare hike

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  Skagit County is proposing a 14% fare increase for Guemes Island ferries“Now, a 14% increase is proposed to begin in 2027.”
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  The fare increase is effective January 2027No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Skagit County previously implemented a 14.1% fare hike in 2023“The county increased ferry fares by 14.1% in 2023; 30% in 2025; and 30% at the beginning of this year.”
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  Skagit County implemented a 30% fare increase in 2025No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Skagit County implemented another 30% fare increase at the start of 2026“The county increased ferry fares by 14.1% in 2023; 30% in 2025; and 30% at the beginning of this year.”
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  County Commissioner Peter Browning made a statement during an August 18 meeting““I feel bad that we keep raising the rates, but we also have to run a business here,” Skagit County Commissioner Peter Browning said during a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18.”
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  County Commissioner Peter Browning stated that the county must 'run a business'“"I feel bad that we keep raising the rates, but we also have to run a business here," Skagit County Commissioner Peter Browning said during a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18.”
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  County Commissioner Peter Browning mentioned concerns about declining ridershipNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  County Commissioner Peter Browning noted rising costs as a factor“I feel bad that we keep raising the rates, but we also have to run a business here,”
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  The ferry system aims to cover 65% of operational expenses through fares“The ferry farebox is supposed to cover 65% of the day-to-day operational expenses and routine maintenance of the vessel and docks.”
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  The ferry system has consistently fallen short of covering operational expenses“The ferry farebox is supposed to cover 65% of the day-to-day operational expenses and routine maintenance of the vessel and docks. The remaining 35% is covered by the county road fund, which is paid into by all property owners in the unincorporated county. Fares have not achieved the 65% goal in several years, leaving the road fund on the hook for between $1 million and $2 million per year.”
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  The county's road fund has covered a shortfall of $1 million to $2 million annually“Fares have not achieved the 65% goal in several years, leaving the road fund on the hook for between $1 million and $2 million per year.”
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  A 2025 appeal by islanders led to a court ruling“A group of islanders in 2025 appealed the rate increases. In January, a judge ruled in favor of the islanders, finding that some capital expenses had been miscategorized as operating expenses.”
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  The court ruling required the county to recalculate fares“In July, the judge ordered the county to recalculate ferry fares.”
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  The court ruling was due to capital expenses being incorrectly classified as operating costs“In July, the judge ordered the county to recalculate ferry fares.”