The Elliott Bay Water Taxi kicked off its seasonal commuter service Sunday morning from Pier 55 to Seacrest Dock on Alki.

Capacity is 250 on the Argosy's MV Sightseer, but only five embarked at Pier 55 for its first 12-minute or so crossing to West Seattle. Sixteen climbed on for the return trip from Seacrest at 9 a.m.

By noon over 100 passengers took advantage of the free ride from Seacrest, which was offered all day. That's when the opening festivities began and the band "Once" played classic rock while Leo the clown inflated balloons for kids in strollers.

Two couples who live in Alki, the Goodnature's and the Pitzen's, boarded the 11 a.m. from Seacrest for the Mariners vs. Oakland game. They said they commute to work daily on the water taxi and hope it will operate year-round. No winter scheduling has been finalized.

Paul and Launa Winegrad of Belleview brought their grandsons Ari and Jacob Dahukey for the cruise, and often show off the taxi to friends, leaving from the Alki dock.

"This is the first place we bring out-of-town guests," said Launa. "The boat offers a great view of Seattle for first-time visitors."

"And it's easier to park on this side and see the museums and other sites downtown without the bother of parking there," said Paul.

Siena Mariani attends North Beach Elementary School kindergarten in Ballard.

"I like how the waves make foamy white stuff," she said. She and her younger sister Bianca had fun with the baseball-sized rubber octopuses the crew handed out as gifts when they embarked.

Nadia Leonova arrived from Russia late Friday night. She is in Seattle on business with Boeing and took a breather to sightsee with two colleagues.

"It was a long flight from Moscow," she said. She looked at her watch. "It's almost 11 p.m. there now," she sighed as she disembarked to get a view of Seattle from Alki, and a second wind.

Service is offered seven days a week and fare is $3 each way, $1 with Metro transfer, and under 5 ride free.

For schedule information go to: transit.metrokc.gov