WSF Trying to Raise Fares Again

[hergfest]

Here is the article from King5.com Looks like they are having simillar problems to BC Ferries with fuel costs.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - State ferry riders may face another increase in fares after the Washington State Transportation Commission voted Wednesday to direct the ferry system to find ways to deal with the high cost of diesel fuel.

Dan O'Neil, the chairman of the Washington State Transportation Commission, told KING 5 News that the ferry system is once again facing a shortfall because of the fuel cost problem.

The commission's move means that the ferry system will start exploring options to fill the $10 million shortfall caused by the fuel prices, said O'Neal.

O'Neal said the commission is studying a fare increase between 5 percent and 20 percent, as well as asking the Legislature for more money.

In March, the ferry system received $17 million from the state for rising fuel costs. And the commission voted in March to raised rates by 6 percent, effective May 1.

But O'Neal said the system still faces a shortfall and needs more money.

"The cost of diesel fuel shot up and it's a much higher level than was planned," he said. "This is not anything that the ferries are doing alone. The railroads, the airlines, the truckers, any company that has to rely on fuel to operate has been increasing its prices in order to offset the higher costs."

O'Neal said a decision would likely be made by October.

[Political Incorrectness]

To make up for this, here is proposal, put 5 toll areas up on I 5 and charge 3 bucks to go through each of them. 200,000 a day would equal $3,000,000 just where does it go to?

[Mike C]

Well, it sounds like there's going to be some unhappy customers...

[Political Incorrectness]

I have come up with fabulous ideas just to drive drivers insane and to get them taking the ferries. How about all the major throughfares in Seattle become tollways? That would make up quite a bit for mass transit and for road improveme, along with bike lane and trails throughout local ciites to connect areas that you do not need to travel by car to get to. We need to get people off the roads and using the mass transit systems.

[Mike C]

Good - yet, evil - I like it. Charge $5 on I 5 and I 90...and $3 on all other major routes, next step, roll in the $$$

[Political Incorrectness]

$5 for tolls is a bit too pricy, $3 is a fair amount, charge nothing for buses and vehicles with three or more people in them and discount vehicles with two in them. That is fair to me.

[Mike C]

You say that we want people taking the ferries? Why not take the billions they make from your highway tolls, and put it towards WSF's fleet, and then lower the prices on transit and WSF?

[Political Incorrectness]

That is what I was thinking is piss off the drivers and make it go toward mass transit!

[hergfest]

Washington is MAJOR anti-toll. We hate toll roads. The only way the public supports it if it pays off a bridge, like the new Tacoma Narrows or a new Evergreen Point Bridge.

[Mike C]

Oh, tell it to the Coquihalla Highway! $10 for a highway that we can drive in an hour. Hope-Merrit toll highway, then Merrit-Kamloops Expressway, then Kamloops-Jasper-Edmonton highway.

[Political Incorrectness]

hergfest said:

Washington is MAJOR anti-toll. We hate toll roads. The only way the public supports it if it pays off a bridge, like the new Tacoma Narrows or a new Evergreen Point Bridge.

Well then, do we turn into Europe where we get our sallaries literally taken away from us? Or do we pay for what we use? Are people whinning about traffic slowdowns? Ever heard of a transponder?