LUMMI ISLAND, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The trial is underway for a lawsuit against Whatcom County over a fare increase on the Lummi Island ferry.

The suit, filed in April by Lummi Island resident Peter Earle, accuses the county of miscalculating the amount in which fares should increase based on the misclassification of other expenses. The lawsuit also names County Executive Satpal Sidhu and Public Works Director Elizabeth Kosa as defendants.

According to court documents, 55% of the Whatcom Chief’s annual operating costs are covered by ferry fares.

Earle claims that the county included the cost of emergency repairs and lease payments with the Lummi Nation as part of their projected operating costs for this year. He believes that both should be reclassified as capital costs, rather than operating costs.

Riders on the Lummi Island ferry saw the fare hike take effect in June. It came as fare revenue has fallen in recent years due to a decline in riders, leading to what the county calls “unsustainable” shortfalls in its projected budget.

The trial began in Whatcom Superior Court on Oct. 3 and is expected to last three to five days.