Chapter 10.34
FERRY RATES¹

Sections:

10.34.005 Definitions.

10.34.010 Effective date for ferry user fees.

10.34.020 Interpretation of rate schedule.

10.34.030 Use of ferry user fee revenues.

10.34.005 Definitions.

A. “Ferry system” means all physical elements of the Lummi Island ferry operations, including both the Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island vehicle and pedestrian staging areas, vehicle parking areas, and ferry docks, and any and all boats utilized for transport purposes.

B. “Operating cost” means all actual daily running expenses and all actual regular and routine maintenance and administrative expenses associated with the use and operation of all physical elements of the ferry system.

C. “Capital cost” means all capital expenditures, including financing and depreciation expenses applied to the replacement, expansion, or creation of ferry system physical elements.

D. “Fare box recovery rate” means the calculated percentage of total revenue generated through ferry user fees in comparison to total actual operating costs for the same period of time.

E. “Ferry user fees” means the rates and charges required of and collected from any and all users of the ferry system, as established and periodically amended in the Unified Fee Schedule.

F. “Rate schedule” means the combination of ferry user fees and operational policies affecting the use of the ferry system. (Ord. 2007-001 Exh. A; Ord. 2005-090 Exh. A).

10.34.010 Effective date for ferry user fees.

Ferry user fees are set forth in the Whatcom County Unified Fee Schedule and become effective as set forth in the ordinance adopting or amending such schedule. (Ord. 2007-001 Exh. A; Ord. 2005-090 Exh. A; Ord. 2002-012; Ord. 2001-064; Ord. 93-080 Exh. Q).

10.34.020 Interpretation of rate schedule.

The following provisions should be observed in application of the ferry rate schedule:

A. Trailers shall include, but not be limited to, ball hitches, military hitches, fifth wheel in bed of pickup, dump trailers, recreation trailers and mobile homes.

B. Special trips are a surcharge in addition to the applicable fare.

C. A weekly run limited to fuel trucks, charged at the regular rate, shall be scheduled by the public works department and published appropriately.

D. Trucks and tow vehicles with trailers shall be charged a rate based on length and weight. Heavy machinery and motor homes shall be charged at the corresponding vehicle rate.

E. All trucks shall be charged regular round-trip rates based on legal license capacity.

F. Over-width vehicles or trailers occupying more than one lane shall be charged a 50 percent surcharge. In addition, vehicles towing over-width trailers shall also be charged a 50 percent surcharge.

G. Student multiride cards shall be sold to full-time students only. Proof of age and enrollment shall be required at time of purchase. No special student discount is available for drivers of vehicles.

H. A special rate may be applied to children under 12 and children 12 to 18 years of age. No special child discount is available for drivers of vehicles.

I. County employees on official county business shall be exempt from fares.

J. Enrolled members of the Lummi Indian Tribe who are issued appropriate identification cards by the tribe, or current fishing cards, licenses, or Lummi Indian Business Council ID cards and who have legitimate tribal business upon Lummi Island, as indicated by the Lummi Indian Tribe, shall have free foot passage upon and across the ferry operated by Whatcom County between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island.

K. A special needs based discount is provided for Lummi Island residents who meet the income levels listed below. These special tickets will only be sold at the Whatcom County treasurer’s office in Bellingham and will require proof of income and family size. Eligibility will be reviewed at least annually. Forms and procedures will be developed by the Whatcom County treasurer’s office.

1. Family of four or more with less than $40,000 total annual income;

2. Family of three with less than $30,000 total annual income;

3. Family of 2 with less than $20,000 total annual income;

4. Individual with less than $10,000 total annual income.

L. Eligibility for a special “senior/disabled” discount is available to all Lummi Island residents who currently hold property tax exemptions or deferral as defined under RCW 84.36.381 and 84.38.030 and WAC 458-16-020 and 458-18-020, and as these may be hereafter amended. Eligibility for a special “senior/disabled” discount is also available to all Lummi Island residents that also qualify for medical assistance within the Medicaid Program.

M. Multiride cards shall be valid until six months after rates change. No credit or refund will be allowed.

N. All children under the age of 12 years when traveling on the Whatcom County ferry must be accompanied by an adult. An exception to this policy will be made only if the adult parent or guardian signs a waiver exempting Whatcom County from all liabilities for any and all injuries, loss of life, etc., while the child is traveling on the ferry. (Ord. 2007-001 Exh. A; Ord. 2005-090 Exh. A; Ord. 2002-012; Ord. 2001-064; Ord. 93-080 Exh. Q).

10.34.030 Use of ferry user fee revenues.

Beginning January 1, 2006, a 55 percent fare box recovery rate shall be applied and evaluated continuously from that time forward. An annual review of ferry system services, actual and projected operating costs, and actual and projected revenue from ferry user fees shall occur in order to verify the 55 percent fare box recovery rate is being achieved.

In any given year the actual fare box recovery rate exceeds 55 percent, the excess revenue shall be retained in the ferry system fund and applied only to future operating costs.

In any given year the actual fare box recovery rate is below 55 percent, the difference shall be recovered in a future ferry user fee increase unless there is adequate excess ferry user fee revenue remaining in the ferry system fund collected during prior years. (Ord. 2007-001 Exh. A; Ord. 2005-090 Exh. A; Ord. 2002-012; Ord. 2001-064).

---

Footnotes

¹Prior legislation: Ord. 89-103.