South Whidbey ferry riders expressed uncertainty about proposed changes to the way the system is run Wednesday.

“A fuel surcharge? What’s that all about?” asked Jason Saunders of Greenbank as he waited in line for the Kittitas.

In a report on long-range planning just released, the Department of Transportation is considering options to reduce the $3.5 billion budget shortfall expected over the next 20 years.

Those options include asking riders to make reservations to curtail lines during times of heavy usage, adopting an automatic fuel surcharge whenever diesel prices spike, raising the basic rates on both vehicles and passengers, and cutting back capacity on selected routes, including the Clinton-Mukilteo run.

For example, one plan calls for two 144-car vessels in summer, then a single 144-car and one 124-car in the fall, winter and spring. The alternate scenario would have the route served by two 124-car ferries year around.

That’s a net loss of 20 cars that won’t make it onto the ferry each sailing, each way.

The biggest proposed change is called Plan B by ferry officials. It envisions the state taking responsibility for the core marine highway system while a locally-funded entity would take on a new marine transit system. Local governments would assume the task of maintaining docks and terminals. The budget shortfall for the state is less under Plan B, but still significant at $1.3 billion.

Currently, the state subsidizes 30 percent of ferry operations in Puget Sound; rider fares pay for the balance. Since 2000, the cost of taking a ferry has increased between 37 and 122 percent, and the difference between revenue and expenses continues to widen.

The system already has a seasonal 25-percent surcharge that targets riders during peak times, mainly the summer tourist season.

Since ridership fluctuates wildly between winter and summer sailings, ferry officials are considering a reservation program to guarantee a spot on board during the busy season.

The idea of asking asking riders to guarantee a spot through advance reservations drew mixed reviews from passengers.

“They can kiss Whidbey goodbye if they do that,” said Jerry Sullivan of Coupeville. “Folks would rather head north over Deception Pass than reserve a spot, whether it was free or not.”

The report stressed that reservations would be free, but some questioned if that would work and whether people would show up or not.

“It’s a real concern,” said Beth Benson of Greenbank. “I like the way it’s set up now. I don’t like the idea of reserving space if it means I can’t get across.”

Sanders said that making people pay for reservations makes more sense.

“If they don’t show, that money is lost to them and gained by the ferry system,” he said.

Inge Roberts from Langley enjoys the current service provided by the ferries but doesn’t much like planning ahead.

“That is why I live on an island,” she said. “I can understand rates going up, but it would seem a fuel surcharge could end up being an administrative nightmare.”

Dan Schlangen from Clinton was skeptical on the proposed changes.

“Ferry management is going to have to eat something for the way they’ve mismanaged the whole system,” he said. “With the new train service in Mukilteo and population going up here, anything that decreases capacity is a recipe for disaster.”

He added that he didn’t think a realistic solution was on the horizon.

“They need to be creative and progressive in their thinking, but I don’t see that happening any time soon,” he said. “Clearly, something has to change.”

Nan Roth of Freeland uses a commuter ticket to save money and doesn’t feel a reservation system is justified.

“You just have to know when to hit the lines,” she said. “If rates go up, I won’t like it but I understand the need.”

Waiting in line to catch a South Whidbey High School basketball game in Mount Vernon, Stephanie Thornley from Greenbank said she travels on the Clinton ferry a minimum of four times a week.

“We already pay a significant amount and I believe commuters should get a break,” she said.

South Enders who want to know more about the state’s long-range plan are invited to a meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 at Useless bay Country Club. A copy of the report can be viewed online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/ESHB2358.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or jvanderford@southwhidbeyrecord.com.