Washington State Ferries to Implement Novel Credit Card Fee Starting March 1st
Starting Sunday, March 1st, Washington State Ferries (WSF) will begin charging a 3% cost recovery surcharge on all credit and debit card transactions, as mandated by the Washington State Legislature.
Legislative Mandate and Fee Details
The Washington State Legislature directed the implementation of this fee through RCW 47.60.860 to allow the state to recover the costs associated with processing card payments. The 3% surcharge will apply to a wide range of fares and fees, including:
- Single-ride tickets
- Multi-ride tickets
- ReValue tickets
- In-person purchases
- Kiosk purchases
- Online purchases
- Vehicle reservation no-present fees
- Carpool and vanpool permits
However, the cost recovery surcharge will not apply to fees for memorial services, annual business accounts, or promotional activities such as tabletops and film or photo shoots.
Payment Options to Avoid the Fee
Customers wishing to avoid the 3% surcharge have several options:
- Cash: Paying with cash will not incur the recovery fee.
- Preloaded ORCA Card: Using a preloaded ORCA card will also waive the fee.
Debit Card Transactions
WSF clarified that debit cards will be processed as credit card transactions and therefore will be subject to the 3% recovery fee, as they are unable to process debit transactions directly.
Leadership Transition at Washington State Ferries
The implementation of this fee comes as Washington State Ferries prepares for a leadership transition. Steve Nevey was appointed as the assistant secretary for the Washington State Ferries Division, succeeding Patty Rubstello, who is retiring after 33 years of service. Nevey, a career mariner, has been instrumental in addressing staffing shortages within the ferry system WSDOT.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Plans
Nevey’s appointment comes at a critical time for WSF, which has faced challenges with staffing and vessel maintenance. He is focused on addressing these issues and overseeing the introduction of new electric hybrid vessels, with the first expected to be delivered in 2028 KUOW.