The 2009 Guemes Island Ferry schedule and rates are up in the air after the Skagit County Commissioners postponed decisions on the issues until Dec. 16.

“I guess they wanted to give Guemes Islanders a chance to speak one more time on the subject,” said Ferry Director Ron Panzero.

That chance will come at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10 at the Guemes Island Community Center. Residents will be able to have their say on the proposed fare increases and/or ferry schedule, particularly the weekday evening runs.

The evening runs were added to the ferry’s schedule in July 2006 on a two-year trial basis by the commission following requests from some islanders to expand access to the island.

The added runs also address “operational and manning issues attributed to the U.S. Coast Guard fatigue study,” according to the county public works department. Issues of vehicle congestion on Sixth Street near the ferry terminal were also considered. By spreading ferry traffic throughout the evening, there’s less buildup of cars hoping to catch what was the last run of the evening at 6 p.m.

A majority of residents are against the added runs, arguing they encourage development and harm the island’s rural character.

According to a financial and operation summary of the trial period prepared by public works, the county is losing anywhere from about $56,000 to $72,000 a year on the added ferry runs.

Also in the summary, public works suggests eliminating the last run of the Monday through Saturday schedule, which generally have low ridership.

The last run is at 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and at midnight Saturday.

“Public works suggests the alternative ferry schedule as a balance between ridership demand, operational issues and costs,” according to the summary.

The department estimates it could save $55,000 a year with the change.

The commissioners were expected to make a decision on the schedule at their Dec. 9 regular meeting. But following a public hearing on Nov. 25, that decision and a decision on the fare increase expected at the meeting were put off.

The public works department has revised its fare proposal, increasing the vehicle and driver fare by 75 cents rather than $1, which was originally suggested.

Other changes include a 25-cent increase for walk-on passengers and the elimination of unlimited-use passes and 20-trip tickets for a vehicle and driver. A new non-transferable commuter pass for 23 trips within a single month will be available for $41.50.

The changes are geared at meeting the fare revenue requirements for 2009, Panzero said.

According to Panzero, a decision on fare increases and the schedule, which would both go into effect Jan. 1, has to be done by the end of the year.

The temporary schedule expires Dec. 31, he said.

He also has to have time to get tickets printed and an employee schedule worked out.

“It all falls on the calendar year so we have to have something in stone some time near,” he said.

The financial and operational summary is available on the Guemes Island Ferry page at http://www.skagitcounty.net. The new fare proposal is available at http://www.linetime.org.