Washington State Ferries is hosting a series of community meetings to talk about its ferries and the future.

Public comment will be taken on the state’s 20-year ferry plan, the new Mukilteo terminal and plans to build new boats.

“We not only want to provide excellent service, we want to be good neighbors to the communities we serve,” WSF Assistant Secretary Amy Scarton said. “I’m looking forward to sharing what’s ahead for the future of ferries and hearing from our customers about how we can continue to improve.”

Whidbey Islanders will have to ride the ferry to Mukilteo for the meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., it’s located a short walk up the hill from the dock.

The meeting will share information about what’s happening at the construction site of the new Mukilteo Multimodal Terminal, a $167 million project to replace the old, tiny trailer-size terminal.

In a press release, Dean Enell with the Clinton Ferry Advisory Committee predicted the state could increase ferry fares substantially because numerous ferries are reaching the end of their service life and need to be replaced.

“A new Olympic class boat is needed right now and estimated at $160 million,” Enell stated.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” he added, “since the long range plan calls for 16 new boats by 2040.”