The price for a car and two passengers to go by ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island — less than three miles — yesterday: $10.50. The cost for the 165-mile return trip on highways? Nothing.

Some Washington lawmakers say this bias toward highways should change. They argue that ferry users are already paying their share, so the state should kick in more to support the ferry network. Surely the gap that makes roads seem essentially free should be narrowed.

Fares reportedly accounted for about 74 percent of the ferry system’s operating budget last year (up from 60 petcent a few years ago) and plans call for another increase in fares. By comparison, bus fares cover 20 to 25 percent of King County Metro’s costs. Fares continue to rise across Cascadia. Meanwhile, except for a few cents a gallon in gas tax, the cost of maintaining highways isn’t reflected at all.