KINGSTON — With the turmoil churning around cross-Sound transportation and rising state fares, Washington State Ferries is trying to provide an open book for local residents’ comments.
In keeping with that idea, WSF officials will hold a public meeting 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club to discuss a possible 4 percent fare increase and tariff policies that could apply to customers.
“They’ll be briefing us on proposed changes,” said Kingston Ferry Advisory Committee member Walt Elliott. “People will be able to make direct comments or fill out comment forms. These will be passed on to the (Washington State Transportation Committee).”
WSF representatives will discuss the transportation committee’s fare increase proposal, a discount program for in need organizations that’s still in its pilot stage, a recalculation in peak season oversized-vehicle fares, Smart Card passes and a reservation pilot program being run out of Port Townsend/Keystone, said WSF customer information manager Susan Harris-Huether. A court reporter will attend the meeting to record comments, so they can be forwarded to the transportation committee, she said.
“There are several components we’re going to discuss,” Harris-Huether said. “People are welcome to comment on what we discuss, and we’ll make sure the transportation committee sees the comments.”
Kingston FAC members are concerned about the 4 percent fare hike after the Legislature promised only a 2.5 percent increase, last year Elliott said. They are also concerned because the Ferry Tariff Policy Committee, comprised of members from different FACs around the area and other key officials, was recently dissolved by the transportation committee.
“The committee wanted to recompose the group,” Harris-Huether said. “It sounds like they’ll change the makeup of the group, but it will be reinstated.”
Residents concerned about fare increases are encouraged to attend the meeting, though Elliott reminds the community in this case, WSF officials are just the messengers for the transportation committee’s proposals.
“Try to go easy on them,” he said. “This is also not the place to be complaining about ferry food. This is for fare concerns.”
