The implementation of the new ferry fares is January 1, 2006. Rate information [56k PDF].

In addition to the existing ticket categories, we will be offering 9 new ticket categories for your convenience:

Three-Month Passes

There will be three-month passes available for:

Car & Driver
Senior/Disabled Car & Driver
Motorcycle
Walk-on Passengers

To qualify for the Senior rate, driver must be 65 or older and show picture ID showing qualifying age. For the Disabled rate, a disabled placard, valid disabled transit card showing status, or disabled license plates are required.

Six-Month Passes

These will be available in the same categories, with the same restrictions, as the three-month passes.

Annual Passes – Senior/Disabled Only

In addition to the existing Disabled passenger pass, there will be a new annual Senior Passenger pass that will be available to passengers 65 or older. This will allow unlimited passenger passage for 12 consecutive months. An application is required, along with proof of age. The Senior and the Disabled passes will be sold at the Public Works building only. Application packets for Senior/Disabled annual passes are available upon request.

The new passes will have no limit to the number of trips that a person may take on one pass during the time the pass is valid. However, the passes may not be transferred from person to person on the same trip.

All senior passes must be accompanied by a photo ID to insure that the user qualifies for the discount. Passengers should have their ID ready along with their pass when boarding. This includes 10 and 20 trip passes and even single trip cash tickets. The annual Senior Passenger passes will have a photo on them, so additional ID is not required.

Availability

All three-month, six-month, and annual passes for 2006 will become available for sale on December 16, 2005. Three and six-month passes will only be sold from the 16th of each month through the last day of each month and will be valid from the date of purchase until expiration. When sold, they will have a hole punched through the year and month of expiration. Expiration will be the last day of the month either three or six months after purchase, depending upon type of ticket purchased. For example, if a person were to purchase a three-month Car & Driver pass on February 20th, they would be able to use that pass from the date of purchase until expiration on May 31, 2006. Annual passes are good for 12 consecutive months.

As of January 1, 2006, all old ticket media will be invalid! The only exception to this is the current annual Disabled Passenger pass holders, whose passes will be valid until the expiration date on the card.

Refund requests for unused, valid ticket media will be processed through the Public Works Accounting Department only. In order to request a refund, customers must fill out the refund request form and send it, along with the unused tickets, to Public Works. An envelope will be provided with the refund form for the convenience of the user. If an individual does not want to mail it or hand deliver it to Public Works, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, they can also turn it into Steve Cox, or to a member of the crew who will place the requests in Steve’s box. Refund requests will take 4-6 weeks to process. Forms will be available from either Public Works, or at the terminal.

- Skagit County Public Works, 11.23.05

Three & Six Month Passes

3-Month and 6-Month passes (Car & Driver, Passenger, Motorcycle, and Senior/Disabled Car & Driver) will be available for sale, in the Ferry Terminal building only, from the 16th through the last day of each month. Upon purchase of these passes, the year and month of expiration will be punched out. For example, if purchasing a 3-Month pass on February 20, 2006, the pass would be punched on the “06” year and the “May” month, indicating that the pass will expire on May 31, 2006.

Annual Passes

Annual passes (Senior and Disabled passenger) will be available only at Skagit County Public Works, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, anytime during normal business hours. Senior pass purchasers must show proof of age; disabled passengers must fill out required forms, including doctor’s certification of disability, or present a valid disabled transit card. After filling out appropriate forms, and paying fee, purchaser will have picture taken and card produced. The production of the card, which normally will take 10-15 minutes, could take significantly longer, depending upon staffing and time of day. Customer should be prepared to wait or come back at a later time if necessary. Customer could also elect to have pass mailed to them if they are unable to wait. These cards will have an expiration date one year from date of issue.

Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted methods of payment for all frequent user passes. All Senior passes will require the presentation of current identification at time of boarding.

- Skagit County Public Works, 11.21.05

Reduced Fare Pass, Senior and Disabled Passengers,
Information and Application Packet [1.4mb PDF file]

Ticket Refund Request Form [36k PDF file]

Refunds for Unused Tickets Commissioners discuss refund policy [9.19.05]