The Elliot Bay Water Taxi is taking more commuters across Puget Sound waters to and from downtown Seattle than ever before.

Compared with this time last year, twice as many commuters are choosing the 12-minute water taxi journey onboard the Sightseer, rather than battling traffic on the West Seattle Bridge or State Route 99, said Charlie Vogel, a project manager for Argosy Cruises. Argosy Cruises operates the water taxi vessel for King County Metro.

About 50 to 60 commuters per day rode the water taxi during peak hours last season, said Vogel, who oversees the boat's crew. He estimated that number has doubled to about 100 this year.

"We've seen a general increase," he said. "We're very pleased about that."

Overall ridership is up too so far this season. On average, about 800 people ride the water taxi everyday, a 9 percent increase over last year this time, said Mike Beck, a Transit Contract administrator for Metro.

The ship is packed mostly with tourists on the weekends, said Maureen Black, director of marketing for Argosy. On an average week, about 20 percent of the weekly passengers are commuters, she said.

Three months into the water taxi's five-month run (May-September), Metro is already anticipating a 10 percent increase in total ridership compared to last year, said Beck.

"Our weekday ridership is up and the weekend numbers have increased significantly," said Beck. "There appears to be more tourists in the area."

When a fatal car crash shut down the West Seattle Bridge for the June 22 morning rush hour, many West Seattle commuters looked to the water taxi for alternative transportation. The ship made additional trips that day to sustain the more than 1,600 extra passengers. The water taxi can handle up to 149 passengers per trip.

That month the water taxi increased it's average ridership by almost 5,000. Mike Beck, a transit contract administrator for Metro, said the water taxi continued to stay busier than normal for about five days after the accident.

Vogel and Beck said the success of the service depends heavily on the weather. When it rains, ridership takes a deep dip because people don't want to deal with bus transfers in the rain, said Vogel.

"This service really thrives on nice weather," said Beck.

Since 2003, the number of people using the water taxi has stayed steady at around 107,000 for the May through September season, according to Metro. Last year's fare hike from $2 to $3 (one way) didn't deter ridership and significantly increased revenue, said Beck.

During the last several years, the water taxi season has fluctuated, sometimes providing service most of the year. The last three seasons have been five months long. If an upward trend continues, Beck said Metro could consider changing its operations to address the increasing need for alternative transportation.

"As the rider ship continues to hold steady and even increase there will probably be discussion to extend the season," said Beck. "But it all depends on funding."

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com