The Washington State Transportation Commission today announced a series of public meetings for a proposed ferry fare increase that would take effect Oct. 11.

The proposed rate increase would include a 2.5 percent across-the-board general fare increase, a 10 percent “peak summer surcharge” for single-fare purchases, and eliminating the tollbooth surcharge for multi-ride fare purchases.

Also proposed: Prepayment of the fare for travel on routes that have a reservation system. Washington State Ferries would collect between 25 to 100 percent of the applicable fare.

None of the public meetings currently scheduled will be held on Whidbey Island.

The meeting schedule is:

• Monday, Aug. 31: San Juan Islands, on board the Sealth (interisland ferry), departs Friday Harbor at 11:35 a.m., Orcas at 12:30 p.m., Shaw at 12:45 p.m., Lopez at 1:05 p.m., and returns to Friday Harbor at 1:55 p.m.

• Tuesday, Sept. 1: Silverdale, 6 – 8 p.m., Silverdale Beach Hotel, 3073 NW Bucklin Hill Road, Silverdale.

• Wednesday, Sept. 2: Vashon Island, 6 – 8 p.m., McMurray Middle School, Multipurpose room, 9329 Cemetery Road, Vashon.

A formal public hearing will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the Seattle office of the Puget Sound Regional Council, 1011 Western Ave., Suite 500.

The entire fare proposal can be found here.