But some state officials say the hike should be capped at a modest 2.5 percent.

There was always death. Then came taxes. Now ferry fare hikes can be added to the list of things that you can always count on.

The only mystery for cross-sound commuters is how much more they’ll have to pay. This year, it’s looking like a 4 percent increase.

“It’s outrageous,” said Bainbridge Island Advisory Committee member David Groves with mock intensity. “Nah…it’s hard to inspire outrage about 4 percent. But there is a cumulative affect from all this.”

Added up, ferry riders have seen their fares increase 62 percent since 2001. Washington State Ferries’ proposal to bump that up to 66 percent shows a lack of “sympathy for riders,” Groves said.

WSF will hear riders’ concerns with a slate of public meetings this month about the fare increase. The Bainbridge Island meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 15 at the Bainbridge Commons.

The state Transportation Commission recommended the 4 percent increase last month, after the Department of Transportation warned of an expected near-term $17 million budget shortfall.

A deficit of this size is a significant concern for island resident and state Ferry Tariff Policy Committee member Alice Tawresey.

“Since ferries are a lifeline for most (tariff committee) members, a shortfall of this size is a serious threat to the continued existence of life as they know it,” she said in her testimony to the commission.

While recommending a fare hike, both the Tariff Policy Committee and Gov. Chris Gregoire had endorsed a smaller, 2.5 percent increase.

For Groves, the likely 4 percent mark seemed capricious.

“The governor said 2.5 percent, the Ferry Tariff Policy Committee said 2.5 percent,” he said. “I don’t see why the (commission) rounded up and added a bonus point.”

Fares began to spike in 2001 after Initiative 695 stripped state transportation enterprises of core funding. The state ferry system has attempted to recoup losses through the fare box, leading to sharp, annual increases.

But relief could be on the way.

State Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo) and Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge Island) are pushing bills in the Legislature that would funnel more funding into the ferry system. Both 23rd district legislators are sponsoring bills that would double WSF’s take of the state highway fund.

“Riders have borne too much,” said Rockefeller on Monday. “(WSF) has continued to jack up fares while ridership has declined. Funding is a problem, but we need to find an alternative.”

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A fare hearing

Washington State Ferries will take public comment on the proposed 4 percent fare hike at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Bainbridge Commons.