Public Notice Filed for rate increases and adjustments
Information and photos released by Lake Chelan Boat Company
To whom it may concern: Lake Chelan Boat Company has submitted the following changes on Tariff No. 63 to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), with an effective date of 1/15/20.
In overview, the goal of Lake Chelan Boat Company’s new management (Discover Lake Chelan) lies substantially in a few areas.
* Changing the cumbersome rate structure, to enable activation of an online ticketing system, which will streamline ticket sales and all processes for our customers. The communities of Stehekin and Holden Village, as well as the general public, will be able to book tickets more conveniently during all hours of the day.
* Streamlining baggage weighing/handling by moving to a bags per ticket holder method, instead of a total weight per ticket.
* Rates have not increased in 7 years. They are being increased as minimally as possible, to cover the costs of operations, which now includes the lease of waterfront property, which has never been included in the cost of operations.
Lady of the Lake II – Summer / Lady Express Off-Season
- Stehekin: Round Trip 46.00 / Lucerne: Round Trip 40.50
- Stehekin: One Way 27.25 / Lucerne: One Way 25.25
Lady Express – Summer
- Stehekin: Round Trip 69.25 / Lucerne: Round Trip NA
- Stehekin: One Way 42.00 / Lucerne: One Way 39.25
Children 2-11 half fare
Seniors 65 and over – 5% Discount
Lucerne/Stehekin/Lucerne “Loop” – $5.50 (difference between a R/T Stehekin and a R/T Lucerne ticket)
“Short Hop” – $10 per trip
The following changes to our passenger Tariff No. 63 have been submitted:
1) The Commuter Ticket program is being replaced with a Frequent Traveler program. The Frequent Traveler program is: Any individual purchasing a round trip ticket will be eligible to receive one (1) free round trip for every three (3) purchases of the same round trip ticket type, within a 12 month period. All applicable tickets must be purchased and used by the same frequent traveler.
2) Baggage Allowance: LCBC has requested to change the manner in which passenger luggage is handled and charged. The maximum weight per package is being increased to 75 lbs,
instead of the current 55 lbs, and the allowance is 2 bags per adult ticket and 1 bag per child ticket. Additional baggage will be charged at $5 per parcel or .10 cents per lb.
3) A 5% discount for travelers 65 year of age and older has been added.
4) Pets will be allowed at a higher rate of $25 one way on the Lady Express in the Summer, with some size and number limitations. Space is very limited on the Lady Express in the
summer, but instead of disallowing it, it will be allowed on a space available basis for a higher rate.
5) After 7 years of no rate increases, the rates will be increased by 13.52% (see above information of the submitted rates). Two new rates have been added: the “Lucerne-Stehekin Loop Fare” and the “Short Hop Fare”.
Added a “Lucerne-Stehekin Loop Fare”, which is presented at $5.50, and is based on the difference between the Stehekin round trip ticket and the Lucerne round trip ticket. This will allow Lucerne passengers to travel through Stehekin on their inbound or outbound leg, by paying the equivalent price of a round trip Stehekin ticket.
This is very beneficial to Holden Village passengers, due to unsafe road conditions during some times of the year. During the winter, for safety reasons, Holden Village travels the 12 mile road just one time per day. If their guests do not travel up lake on the boat, on their outbound leg, they must stay in a warming hut at the Lucerne Landing, which is not always sufficient for the need.
Added a “Short Hop Fare” to fill the gap of short travel routes, “Short Hops” can be made from/to all but the main down lake ports of Chelan or Fields Point Landing.
6) The changes to freight rate items reflect the change of the base freight rates for the different categories of freight that we ship, to include passenger’s additional luggage over their allowance, unaccompanied freight parcels for non-passengers, and bulk commercial freight shipments, along with addressing the fares for pets, bicycles, kayaks and game animals.
FREIGHT Rates:
- Passenger Accompanied Parcels over ticket allowance $5.00 minimum per parcel or .10 cents per lb
- Unaccompanied freight Parcels for non-passengers $7.75 minimum or .25 cents per lb
- Unaccompanied Commercial freight Shipments $7.75 minimum or .10 cents per lb (Shipments delivered by Commercial shippers)
- Bicycles – non-motorized $15.50
- Pets – Lady II Summer/Lady Express Winter $10.00 – Owner Cage
- Pets – Lady II Summer/Lady Express Winter $15.50 – Company Cage
- Pets – Lady Express Summer $25.00 – Owner Cage
- Kayaks – Small $25.00 Small – Up to 12 foot
- Kayaks – Large $35.00 Large – Over 12 foot
- Game Animals – bagged correctly $35.00
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Reed Courtney or Brun Garfoot by directing your email to info@ladyofthelake.com, or leave a phone message at 509-682-4584.
To submit comments to the UTC: https://www.utc.wa.gov/consumers or 1-888-333-9882.
We thank each of you for your support, during the transition to our ownership of Lake Chelan Boat Company. We are very excited about the future, and what we will be able to offer in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Reed Courtney Brun Garfoot
Discover Lake Chelan, LLC-Managing Members
About the UTC: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is a three-member commission appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Their Mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, available, reliable and fairly priced.
