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Good afternoon,
Here are the latest updates on WSF. Please reach out if you have any questions.
New Fares Took Effect October 1,2025
Fare changes approved by the Washington State Transportation Commission went into effect October 1st. Changes to common fares can be seen here <https://wstc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-27-
ferry-fare-proposal.pdf> . Both vehicle and passenger fares increased by an average of 3%, with another increase approved for May 2026.
Fares are based on the route’s geographical location, the length, width, and height of your vehicle, as well as the length of time you will be traveling on board our ferry.
In addition to the fare changes adopted there is an increase to the vessel replacement surcharge by 50 cents now totaling $1. Also, a pilot begins on the multi-ride pass which extends
the expiration date from the current 90 days to 120 days, beginning May 2026.
Completed Sailings
For the week of Sept. 29 – Oct. 5 – we completed 98.34% of our 3,077 scheduled sailings. Of the 53 cancellations, 83% (44) were due to vessel-related issues, 8% (4) were due to schedule
resets (when a boat is so far behind schedule, we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability for customers), 4% (2) were due to crewing, 4% (2) were due to
terminal-related issues, and 2% (1) was due to other miscellaneous reasons.
For comparison, during a similar period last year (September 30 – October 6, 2024), we completed 98.68% of our 2,797 scheduled sailings. Of the 37 cancellations that week, 60% (22) were
due to vessel-related issues, 27% (10) were due to schedule resets, 11% (4) were due to other miscellaneous reasons, and 3% (1) was due to terminal-related issues.
Customer Service Alerts
For the week of Sept. 29 – Oct. 5 - our customer service team sent 98 rider alerts, received 2,345 customer calls, and fielded more than 210 written comments and emails related to reservations,
schedules, and fares.
WSF Weekly Media Highlights
Ferry fares rise as new rate increases take effect <https://wstc.wa.gov/news/2025/08/06/new-fares-for-washington-state-ferries-approved/> KONP News Radio
Vessel Availability
We fully implemented our 18-vessel service this summer, allowing us to return to almost full domestic service – three years earlier than originally planned.
During our Summer season we carried 500,000 more riders, making it the busiest summer in several years.
Numbers show we’re moving in the right direction. We completed 98.4% of our 43,179 scheduled sailings. That’s an increase from 97.2% last year and we had nearly 4,000 more trips this
summer.
Canceled sailing dropped from 1,174 to 755. We also improved our on-time performance <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.wa.gov%2Ftravel%2Fwashington-state-ferries%2Fabout-us%2Ffer
ries-accountability-and-service-data%2Ftime-performance-reports/1/0100019983006f9d-52ba328d-ddf5-41f8-bdee-dfab3f1e7ae8-000000/_oduYkBAwk6X4fsWA5MA-W6lNzKcN7Ovi5pP5tLRzs8=424> , or percentage
of trip departing within 10 minutes of their scheduled departure time. Systemwide, we went from 71.6% in summer 2024 to 76.7% in 2025
Hybrid Conversions/New Vessels/Terminal Electrification
New Vessels – Governor Bob Ferguson selected the $714.5 million bid from Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group to build three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries. We will move
forward with the contracting process, following the first competitive bid for ferry construction in more than 25 years.
Terminal Electrification – Vessel charging system proposals have been reviewed and an award announcement is expected soon.
WSF Community Engagement and Government Relations
San Juan Island Ferry Advisory Committee meeting – Wednesday @ 9 a.m.
Hadley Rodero (she/her)
Deputy Director, External Relations | Washington State Ferries
C: 206-818-3813| E: hadley.rodero@wsdot.wa.gov <mailto:hadley.rodero@wsdot.wa.gov>