WA state ferries drop bicycle fees for many passengers

Starting in October it will be possible to roll your bicycle onto a Washington State Ferry for free.

The ferry commission voted this month to remove add-on charges for bicycles for passengers who use monthly passes, multi-ride cards, or an ORCA ePurse.

In the San Juan Islands, only customers paying with a multi-ride card may travel without paying the bicycle surcharge.

Bicyclists will still have to pay the passenger fee for their departure location.

Bicycle travelers buying a single-trip fare will continue to pay the bicycle surcharge, which is $1 at most locations.

This reduction in fare is certainly a move in the right direction and might persuade more commuters who use the ferry system across Puget Sound to travel by bicycle.

Other fares will be going up in October and May. Here's more information about fare changes coming up from the Washington State Ferry Commission. And the current fare schedule.

More information about ORCA ePurse, multi-ride and monthly passes.

Note: The photo above does not represent the bicycle traffic on a typical ferry run. This is an old photo of bicyclists returning from the annual Chilly Hilly bicycle ride on Bainbridge Island.