Skagit
Valley Herald:
[5.18.05]:
Big changes are likely
coming for the Guemes Island ferry, starting with the fares.
Commissioner
Anderson's Rant [5.17.05]
Commissioners
Discussion, Minutes of Board Meeting 5.17.05,
[6.11.05]
Commissioners
Discussion, Minutes of Board Meeting 5.31.05,
[6.16.05]
Skagit
Valley Herald: "Officials have discussed raising
fares on the Guemes Island ferry, and there are questions about the
need for four people to be working on it." [5.28.05]
Skagit
Valley Herald:
The Fourth Crewperson: "So many people ride the ferry that a purser
is needed to sell tickets while the three regular crew members handle
the boat itself, Skagit County Public Works Director Chal Martin told
the county commissioners." [6.1.05]
Skagit
Valley Herald Pontificates: "We're
still left with the impression that Guemes Island is a subsidized enclave
whose residents want cheap access for themselves and limited access
for everyone else."
[6.12.05]
Islanders
Respond to Skagit Valley Herald Editorial [6.20.05]
Skagit
Valley Herald: "Martin
said his next proposal will probably give about a 20 percent discount
for frequent-user tickets, instead of the current 60 percent."
[6.22.05]
Voices
of the Valley: "The...editorial scapegoats Guemes
Islanders to mask the fiscal mismanagement of the Skagit County Ferry...No
other county ferry system in the state chose to add a full-time crew
person to solve a minor accounting problem. The cost of this crew person
has added over $190,000 to the operating side of the ledger."
6.23.5
Fare Increase Proposal [36k
PDF]. The
subject of the July 6 Public Hearing, 6.30.5
Ferry
Committee Responds to Fares Proposal
[7.10.05]
Skagit
Valley Herald: "Skagit County officials
are moving cautiously after hearing about some unintended consequences
that could strike the county as a result of a proposed Guemes Island
Ferry fare increase." 7.7.5
Skagit
Valley Herald: "Raising fares for the Guemes Island Ferry won't
cause Skagit County to lose state and federal money, officials say.
But what nobody knows is what increased fares will do to ridership."
7.11.5
Revised
Fare Proposal [88k
PDF] 7.19.5
Latest
Fare Proposal
7.29.5
Skagit
Valley Herald: "Vote
on Guemes ferry rates could come as early as Monday." 7.30.5
Commissioners
Approve Fare Increase
Skagit
Valley Herald: "The
Skagit County commissioners Monday approved a new fare schedule that
more than doubles the price of the most popular passes." 8.2.5
New
Fare Schedule [20kb PDF] [Later
modified]
Commissioners
Discuss Fares
"Mr. Martin advised the Board he will bring two proposals forward
regarding an extended schedule..."
[8.4.5]
Skagit
Valley Herald: "The
Skagit County commissioners Tuesday approved a new rate schedule for
the Guemes Island ferry, with a little tweaking." 8.17.5
Skagit
Valley Herald Editorial: "left largely unaddressed
is the long-term question of ferry management and operational costs..."
8.5.5
Appealing
the Fare Increase
"I
live on nothing but minimal Social Security and will find the doubling
of Guemes Ferry fares a large burden..." Islanders Comment
[8.20.5]
A
Fare Perspective
Fares
Resolutions Signed 8.25.5
[Modifies Previously
Approved Fares]
