Metropolitan King County Council 516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-1000 Toll Free: 800-325-6165 TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024 Fax: 206-296-0198 council@kingcounty.gov
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Aug. 8, 2008 “High Tide” for Water Taxi July is third straight month with double-digit ridership increaseJuly ridership on the Elliott Bay Water Taxi increased 15 percent over last July, making this the third straight month of double-digit ridership increases for the popular passenger ferry.
This July, 42,436 passengers rode the Water Taxi, compared to 36,885 last July. Ridership was also up 14 percent in June and 17 percent in April and May, compared with 2007 numbers. The downtown-to-Seacrest Park run has served a total of 101,882 riders since opening its 2008 summer season on April 27.
“This Elliott Bay Water Taxi’s successful summer is a great kickoff for the King County Ferry District,” said Metropolitan King County Councilmember Dow Constantine, whose district includes Southwest Seattle. “The Water Taxi has shown that King County residents appreciate the addition of waterborne transit service to their commuting and traveling options.”
This is the first year that the Elliott Bay Water Taxi has been funded by the newly established King County Ferry District. This has allowed King County to use the money that previously funded water taxi service on expanded bus service. The Ferry District plans to move the Elliott Bay Water Taxi to year-round service in Spring 2010 with improved docks and boats.
In the summer of 2007, the Water Taxi carried a record 161,331 passengers. Both of the past two seasons have seen annual ridership increases of more than 32 percent.
The fare for the Elliott Bay Water Taxi fare is $3 for anyone over the age of 5. Passengers with a valid Metro transfer pay just $1. Also accepted for full fare are PugetPasses, FlexPasses, Metro Access Passes, Visitor Passes, Vanpool Passes, Saturday/Sunday Day Passes, and Regional Reduced Fare Permits with a valid monthly or annual sticker. The 2008 Water Taxi season runs through Friday, Oct. 31.
For more information on the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, call (206) 553-3000 (TTY 206-684-1739). Riders can check on the current operating status of the Water Taxi by calling (206) 205-3866.
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