By Al Sanders, King County Metro 

It may not feel like it now, but spring weather is just around the corner. Warmer days, later sunsets, and the return of the King County Water Taxi summer sailing schedule!

As we prepare for the summer sailing season, the Water Taxi will finish the winter with increased shuttle service! Starting on Monday, March 28, all Water Taxi sailings will be met with shuttle service. So, if you want to ride over to West Seattle for a midday walk along Alki, or for lunch in the Junction, there will be a shuttle to get you there.

The summer schedule begins on April 21 and will run through Oct. 14. Metro has operated midday sailings to and from West Seattle over the winter with the support of the City of Seattle, keeping people moving reliably during repairs of the West Seattle Bridge. Pivoting into our summer schedule, we’re looking forward to continuing to provide reliable transit service and expand into the evenings for Friday and Saturday.

Daytime sailings for the West Seattle Water Taxi currently start at around 6 a.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. on the weekends. The summer schedule includes the return of late-night sailings through 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.  A reminder—there will be no late-night sailings Sundays through Thursdays, including after night sporting events.

As we close out the current sailing schedule, Water Taxi staff will be conducting training on April 18-20, so West Seattle midday service will be canceled.

Treat yourself! Take the opportunity to enjoy a 15-minute ride across Elliott Bay while enjoying panoramic views of the Seattle city skyline, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains. Walk along Alki Beach or the downtown waterfront. And you’ll continue to avoid traffic from the closure of the West Seattle Bridge or paying to park downtown.

For those who haven’t enjoyed the trip lately, you can now bring your electric or “fat tire” bike and your cat or dog along for the ride!

Leave your car at home and take transit to the Water Taxi. In West Seattle, riders can take the free Metro water taxi shuttles to and from the dock at Seacrest Park. Route 773 serves the West Seattle junction. Route 775 serves the Admiral District and Alki.

How much does it cost to travel by Water Taxi? Customers with lower incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities can now apply for an ORCA Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) card using the new Reduced Fare Portal. For a limited time, ORCA Youth card applications can also be submitted through the portal. Adult fare is $5.75 one way ($5 with an ORCA card).