Skagit County to host public hearing on proposed 2026 Guemes Ferry fare schedule

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Commissioners will host a public hearing on Tuesday, October 21st, at 1 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room and online via Zoom to consider public comment on two proposed resolutions regarding Guemes Island ferry fares.

The first resolution will set the 2026 ferry fare schedule, which includes a 30% increase on 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, according to a news release from the county.

The second resolution proposes a method for riders with non-expiry COVID punch cards to exchange the paper punch card for the equivalent rides in the new electronic ticketing system.

The following relevant materials are available on the ferry page on the county's website:

- Proposed resolution adopting the 2026 ferry fare schedule
- Proposed resolution to provide a method to convert paper punch cards sold during COVID without expiration
- 2025 Ferry Fare Revenue Target Report (Updated 10/1/25)
- 2026 Ferry Fare Proposal is included in this report
- 2024 Ferry Expenditure and Revenue Reports
- 2025 (Jan. 1 through June 30, 2025) Budget Monitoring Report
- 2024 Ferry Budget Monitoring Report


These two proposed resolutions are scheduled to be considered for adoption on November 10th at 1 p.m.

The proposals may be approved, modified, or rejected by the Skagit Board of County Commissioners. Interested citizens may attend the public hearing on October 21st in-person in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, or via Zoom at the link on the Commissioners’ webpage. Written comments may be submitted to ferrycomments@co.skagit.wa.us. The subject line shall read, “Ferry 2026 Fare Proposal” and the body of the email should contain the comments rather than sending them as an attachment. Comments can also be mailed to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 ATTN: Ferry 2026 Fare Proposal.