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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Sept. 15, 2008 Water Taxi rides into fall at a record pace Summer ridership totals well ahead of 2007 The Elliott Bay Water Taxi continued its record pace through the month of August, with summer season ridership up by more than 9 percent over last year’s best-ever numbers.
August’s 40,231 riders represented the third-best month in the Water Taxi’s decade-long history. The top two months for the West Seattle-to-downtown passenger ferry were July 2008 (42,436 riders) and August 2007 (43,020 riders). Last August’s big numbers were caused in part by the two-week closure of several lanes of Interstate 5, which convinced a record number of commuters to use this transit alternative.
“The Water Taxi notched its second straight month with more than 40,000 riders and we’re on pace for another record-breaking year,” said King County Councilmember Dow Constantine. “Public interest in waterborne transit is at an all-time high as we prepare to take the Water Taxi to year-round operation in 2010.”
The King County Ferry District took over Water Taxi funding this year. This countywide special district also funds the operation of the Vashon Island-to-downtown passenger-only ferry and is expected to add up to five demonstration routes serving other Puget Sound and Lake Washington communities in the next few years.
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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