Despite rising fuel costs, the King County Ferry District Board of Supervisors have voted to hold the line on fares for passenger-only ferry service between Vashon Island and downtown Seattle. The Ferry District assumed the cost of providing service of the route after the Washington State Legislature directed Washington State Ferries to discontinue operating state-funded passenger-only ferry service on the Seattle/Vashon route.

"Since the ferry service is the only option to and from Vashon Island, it is important that we offer residents a consistent and reasonable rate," said Board Chair Julia Patterson.

"We'll be maintaining the current fares as we continue to transition the Vashon passenger-only ferry to King County Ferry District operation," said board member Dow Constantine, whose King County Council district includes Vashon. "We know how critical this service is to the residents of Vashon and Maury Islands."

Round-trip fares for the passenger-only ferry will remain at $8.70. Monthly rates will stay at $117.80 and 10 round-trip commuter cards will continue to cost $73.60. Those rates were established by Washington State Ferries in 2007 and will stay in place as the state ferry system operates the passenger-only route under contract to the Ferry District through June 2009.

The King County Ferry District was established in 2007 to expand transportation options for county residents through provision of waterborne transit services. In addition to the Seattle/Vashon Island route, the Ferry District oversees operation of the Elliott Bay Water Taxi which runs between West Seattle and Pier 55 in downtown Seattle.