Ferry fares for vehicles and pedestrians are set to increase nearly 3 percent this fall.

Last week, the state’s transportation commission and members of the citizens Ferry Advisory Committee – Tariffs approved the plan proposed by Washington State Ferries’ (WSF) officials. Under it, vehicle fares are set to rise by 2.9 percent beginning Oct. 1 and another 2.5 percent in 2018. Fares for passengers in vehicles and walk-ons will increase 2.5 percent this October and another 2.1 percent in 2018. The increases work out to 75 cents more for vehicles and 35 cents more for passengers over the next two years.

The hike is courtesy of the 2017-19 transportation operating budget passed by state lawmakers last month. According to an article in the Everett Herald, the budget requires Washington State Ferries to come up with an additional $8.4 million in revenue for day-to-day operations.

But, according to the Herald, the ferry system also agreed to phase out a surcharge on oversized vehicles imposed since 2011. It would be reduced by 35 percent in the first year and eliminated in the second year.

Ray Deardorf, planning director for Washington State Ferries, who presented the proposal last week, said there were two major components of WSF’s proposal to the transportation commission.

“One is the amount of fare revenue the legislature requires us to bring in,” he said, “also, any changes that come about through working with our Ferry Advisory Committee on tariffs.”

Four public outreach meetings about the fare changes are scheduled for July 6 through 17 according Deardorf.

He said that it is up to the transportation commission to schedule exact dates and set locations, but there will be a meeting on Vashon. The meetings will conclude with a formal public hearing on July 26 in downtown Seattle. A final decision on the adopted plan is expected in late summer.

State law requires the commission to set fares for Washington State Ferries, and fares have gone up nearly every year since 2007, according to the Herald.

Most recently, in 2015, a 2.5 percent hike for vehicles and 1 percent hike for passengers in cars and walk-ons was approved.

More details on the approved plan can be found on the transportation commission’s website at wstc.wa.gov. Information about the public meetings will also be posted there in coming months.

— Anneli Fogt