The Elliott Bay Water Taxi is continuing to have strong ridership as the major part of the summer season approaches, despite a drizzly, blustery May and a June that wasn't much better.
Rider counts for June were up 14 percent over last year's record pace. This June, 30,046 riders rode the Water Taxi, compared with 26,329 last June.
This follows a 17 percent increase for the month of May and the last week of April. The downtown-to-Seacrest Park run has served a total of 59,386 riders since opening its 2008 summer season on April 27. Sunday ridership is up 42 percent from 2007.
"The continued success of the Elliott Bay Water Taxi is testimony that foot ferries can play an important role in meeting our future transportation needs," said King County Council member Dow Constantine, whose district includes West Seattle. "As we face the prospect of millions more moving to this region in the next 20 years, it is crucial that we continue to expand our transportation uses of our region's navigable waters to provide the citizens of King County with more commuting options."
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. It is expected that with the arrival of warmer weather and continued high gasoline prices that the Water Taxi will continue to break previous ridership records this summer.
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.
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 553-3000 (TTY 206-684-1739). Riders can check on the current operating status of the Water Taxi by calling 205-3866.
