The King County Water Taxi, formerly the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, returns to the water on Sunday, April 5 with a new name and logo reflecting its status as a program of the King County Ferry District.

“We have made some low-cost service improvements based on comments by Water Taxi riders since the Ferry District took over funding of this route last year,” said Dow Constantine, King County Council Chair and chair of the Ferry District’s Board of Supervisors. “The Ferry District will take the West Seattle-to-downtown Water Taxi to year-round operation in 2010, with a new vessel and an improved Seacrest dock.”

That issue is scheduled to be voted on by the Board of Parks Commissioners this Thursday, March 26.

The free shuttle buses have been renumbered to show riders the route they serve, with the West Seattle Junction shuttle keeping the route 773 designation and the Admiral/Alki shuttle operating as the route 775. New signage has been installed at the Seacrest and downtown docks and King County Water Taxi vessels will accept the new ORCA cards as well as other Metro passes.

The April 5 opening of the Water Taxi’s summer season will be marked with a celebration from noon to 2 p.m. at Seacrest Park with live entertainment, refreshments, and family activities, plus a full day of free Water Taxi rides. King County Water Taxi service on the West Seattle-to-downtown route will continue through Oct. 31.

In April 2007, the King County Ferry District was formed to expand transportation options through passenger ferry services. The Ferry District provides funding for services operated under the name King County Water Taxi.

The King County Water Taxi currently serves two passenger ferry routes:

• West Seattle (Seacrest Dock) / Downtown Seattle (Pier 55) [Previously the Elliott Bay Water Taxi]
• Vashon Island (Vashon Ferry Terminal) / Downtown Seattle (Pier 50) [Previously funded by
Washington State Ferries]

The King County Water Taxi will add demonstration services to other communities in King County in the near future.