Whatcom County Public Works is proposing an increase to ferry fares in 2023 to comply with the farebox recovery rate mandated in Whatcom County Code. The proposal was released on December 1, 2022, and reviewed in the Whatcom County Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee on January 10, 2023, at 10:30 am. It was also placed as an ‘Introduction Item’ on the Whatcom County Council agenda on January 10, 2023, at 6 pm.

Since its December release, additional ridership and expense information has been incorporated into the proposal to reflect the most current data available. Changes were also made after the County Council committee review on January 10. Updated documents include:

• 2021 Fiscal Year Operations Report--updated January 9, 2023, to incorporate the most current ridership and expense information for the included 2022 projections. 
• Fare Revenue Model for 2023 to Achieve Farebox Recovery--adjusted January 9, 2023, based on the updates to the 2021 Fiscal Year Operations Report. This is ‘Exhibit B’ in the report. 
• Proposed 2023 Ordinance Language--updated after County Council review on January 10, 2023.
• Proposed 2023 Ferry Rates--updated after County Council review on January 10, 2023.

Next steps: The ferry fare proposal will tentatively be scheduled for a public hearing at the Whatcom County Council meeting on January 24, 2023, at 6 pm. This is a chance to voice your opinion on the proposal. Before or during the hearing, you can also submit written testimony to the County Council. You may email the Councilmembers individually or submit your written testimony here: [email protected].

More information about the fare proposal, including an explanation of the farebox recovery rate, our operational mandates, and frequently asked questions, is available on the Lummi Island Ferry page on Whatcom County’s website. Click here to view the fare proposal page.