Skagit County Missed the Boat

The U.S. Department of Transportation through its Federal Highway Administration handed out $175 million to the nation’s many ferry operations, and Washington State received the largest slice of the pie with nearly $40 million.  While every other major ferry system in the State of Washington received funds, Skagit County’s Guemes Ferry was not on the list.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) announced in mid-August it’s annual Ferry Boat Program (FBP) distribution which included the Washington State Ferry system, the King County Marine Division, which runs the popular West Seattle and Vashon foot ferries, as well as Kitsap Transit, Colville Confederated Tribes and Pierce County, Whatcom County and Wahkiakum County. Whatcom’s ferry system, similar to the Guemes run, received over $875,000. 

The reason that Skagit County is missing from the list is that its ferry division failed to properly submit the biennial data request for National Census of Ferry Operators (NCFO) in 2022 to qualify for this year’s FBP funds.  Fair Fares LLC confirmed with the FHA that Skagit County failed to properly file this required ferry census data and was aware of the mistake.

The loss of this sizable Federal revenue is especially egregious for Guemes Ferry ridership facing yet another 30% fare increase for 2026, the third consecutive unprecedented increase in as many years.

According to the Skagit County’s August 15, 2025 Draft Ferry Fare Revenue Target Report,  O&M expenses have risen from $2,904,594 in 2022 to a projected O&M budget for 2026 of $5,474,429, an 88.5% increase.  Instead of controlling, Ferry management has created new staffing positions, like an Assistant Manager, and instituted a new electronic ticketing system which cost $85,000 to install and takes 7% of gross revenue over five years. The e-ticketing phone app, which is difficult to use and slows vehicle loading, has required even more staffing.  The unsubstantiated projected budget numbers which drive the fare increase became so arbitrary and capricious that a group of islanders, Fair Fares LLC, challenged them in a Superior Court administrative appeal that is scheduled to be heard this October.  

Meanwhile, the 2026 fare increase projects a $26.50 round trip vehicle and driver fare, an increase of 26% over 2025, but an increase of 77% when compared to the 2023 rate. This increase hits the Senior/Disabled ridership hardest.   The once 20 trip easy-to-use punch card has seen its discount disappear in the new e-ticketing system, increasing from $156 in 2023 to $410 for 2026, a punishing 163% jump. 

Skagit County has failed the citizens of Guemes Island, all of Skagit County, and the State of Washington by neglecting to secure vital federal funds and engaging in excessive spending. Every day, islanders feel the impact when commuting to work, heating their homes, attending doctor's appointments, or grocery shopping. With hands out for more money to fund a future ferry, the county's decisions demand accountability.

The full list of FBP recipients and the amount’s received can be found here: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/specialfunding/fbp/FBP_FY25_Combined_Distribution.pdf

                         Percent Fare Increase Table

1. Columns 6-7:  Current fare 2025 compared to proposed 2026 increase.

2. Columns 8-9: 2024 fares compared to proposed 2026 increase.

3. Columns 10-11: 2023 fares compared to proposed 2026 increase.

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