FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Skagit County Adopts Guemes Ferry 2026 Fare Schedule, Approves Transition of Non-Expiry COVID Punch Cards to Electronic Ticketing System
On Monday, November 10th, 2025, the Skagit County Commissioners approved Resolution #R20250259, adopting the 2026 ferry fare schedule. The new fare schedule will be in effect starting January 1, 2026. The Commissioners additionally approved Resolution #R20250260, which establishes a method for riders with non-expiry COVID punch cards to exchange the unused rides for equivalent electronic tickets (e-tickets).
Non-expiry COVID paper punch cards can still be used through December 31, 2025. However, beginning January 1, 2026, all unused cards will need to be converted to non-expiry e-tickets for travel. Conversion is by appointment at the Anacortes ferry terminal. Appointments will be available starting December 1, 2025, by emailing [email protected] or calling 360-416-1466.
For more information on how to convert non-expiry COVID punch cards, please review the notice on the ferry website.
Fare Setting Details
The 2026 fare schedule includes an average 30% increase on most fares to meet the 55% farebox recovery target in 2026. On July 27, 2023, the Skagit County Commissioners adopted Resolution #20230152, which sets the ferry fare revenue target methodology, including the formula used to calculate fares each year. The County Commissioners stated they intend to reach a 65% fare box recovery target by December 31, 2028, which requires ferry fares to increase steadily from 2023 through 2028 to reach that target.
As part of a fare study in 2023, the Commissioners prioritized an equitable fare rate schedule to ensure fares are consistent with equivalent ferry systems and that fare revenue pays for a sufficient portion of the ferry operational costs. From 2015 to 2023, fares remained flat, while expenses for the ferry rose sharply, which has required the ferry division to rely on the road fund to absorb the remaining costs. In 2015, the ferry division required an additional $1.1M from the road fund. The 2026 road fund allocation is expected to be $2.7M.
The Commissioners recognize it is not financially viable to substantially rely on the road fund each year for the ferry division, as it takes significant resources away from roads, bridges, and culvert projects which are in dire need of repair or replacement. The expected fare increases from 2023 to 2028 to reach a 65% farebox recovery will help balance the sources of revenue for the ferry division between users of the ferry and the road fund.
The Commissioners and ferry division shared the documents below for the public review process of the new fare schedule. A work session and televised presentation to review the materials were held on September 9th and September 16th, and a public hearing was held on October 21st. The Commissioners accepted written public comment on the proposal from August 15th through the conclusion of the public hearing on October 21st. The ferry division received 33 written comments and a memo summarizing departmental responses is available on our website.
The following materials are available on the ferry website for public review:
For more information on the fare schedule and budget process, please visit the ferry webpage.
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