A fare hike for Washington State Ferries is the subject of public hearings in July, including one on Whidbey Island.

The state Transportation Commission is considering a proposal to boost the base price of one-way travel on Oct. 1, and again May 1, 2016.

As designed, the increase would generate $357 million for ferry operations through June 30, 2017.

Impetus for the price hike comes from state lawmakers who assumed additional revenue from a fare hike in the two-year transportation operations budget approved last month.

Commissioners are considering a 2.5 percent fare increase for vehicles and a 1 percent fare increase for passengers in cars and walk-ons. These would occur this fall and next spring.

A public hearing is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 8 at the Clinton Community Hall, 6411 Central Ave., Clinton.

An online meeting is noon to 1:30 p.m. July 13. Details on how to participate will be posted online at http://wstc.wa.gov/

Final action is expected at the commission’s Aug. 4 meeting in Seattle.

If you cannot attend one of the public hearings, you may email comments to the commission at transc@wstc.wa.gov. Put “Ferry Fares” in the subject line.