Puget Sound ferry regulars are about to feel a little extra pinch at the turnstiles. Starting Friday, May 1, Washington State Ferries riders will pay more across the system, with an average 3 percent bump to passenger and vehicle fares and a new summer surcharge for single-ride drivers. That means slightly pricier round trips on busy routes like Seattle–Bainbridge, Edmonds–Kingston and Mukilteo–Clinton just as the warm-weather crowds roll in.
According to WSDOT, a 3 percent cost-recovery surcharge on credit and debit card transactions kicked in on March 1, 2026, and it applies to in-person, kiosk and online purchases. The Washington State Transportation Commission signed off on a fare schedule that included an October 2025 adjustment and a May 1, 2026 step, setting the average May increase at roughly 3 percent, WSTC says. Ferry officials say the whole package is designed to help hit funding targets in the state transportation budget.
What’s changing on May 1
Starting May 1, passenger and vehicle ticket prices will rise by an average of 3 percent, and single-ride vehicle fares will include a uniform 35 percent peak-season surcharge through Sept. 30, as reported by Kitsap Sun. WSF is also testing a longer expiration window for multi-ride passes. New passes bought on or after May 1 will be good for 120 days instead of 90, which gives frequent riders a bit more breathing room to use them.
On several popular runs, that all translates to modest per-trip bumps. For example, Seattle–Bainbridge passenger round-trip fares are listed as moving to $11.35 under the new tariff.
Why officials say fares are rising
The Washington State Transportation Commission says the adjustments are part of a broader plan to meet a ferry fare revenue target for the 2025–27 biennium, with commission documents putting that number at about $408.8 million, according to WSTC. Officials point to rising operating and capital costs, including vessel replacement surcharges, as the main drivers…