The 2010 Supplemental Transportation budget authorized the Washington State Transportation Commission (Commission) to impose a ferry fuel charge with an effective date of July 1, 2011, as well as to conduct all procedures required for setting ferry fares by rule. The Commission adopted rules for setting the ferry fuel surcharge effective October 1, 2011, and to date a fuel surcharge has not been imposed.
The Commission sets fares for the Washington state ferries annually by September 1st. The fare process is informed by the appropriation levels set by the legislative budget process, as well as forecasts of fuel consumption, prices, actual gallons used and price, and pricing under hedging contracts.
The Commission may impose a fuel surcharge only when directed by the Legislature in the omnibus transportation appropriations act. Enactment of a fuel surcharge must be reevaluated by the Commission on a quarterly basis to determine its continued necessity, and the surcharge must be revoked when determined to be no longer needed.