information from King County

People across the region continue to shift how they commute to avoid peak congestion during the 99 closure, and King County Water Taxi is seeing much higher ridership as a result. Boats to and from West Seattle carried more than 7,700 riders during the past three days, more than tripling typical ridership – and there’s still some capacity and parking as travelers consider their Monday morning commute options.

Weekend demand also was higher, with Sounders and Mariners fans driving up ridership. King County operates two new, larger 278-passenger boats – the MV Doc Maynard operates seven days a week to and from West Seattle; the MV Sally Fox operates weekdays to and from Vashon Island with five added round trip sailings during the 99 Closure via the Spirit of Kingston.

The water taxi gives riders a congestion-free choice across the water, essential during the 99 closure as local streets and highways face peak commute gridlock.

Information is posted online about expanded West Seattle parking options and regular sailing times during the 99 closure. West Seattle parking is available along Harbor Avenue Southwest, Southwest Bronson Street and at Pier 2 with connecting shuttles. There also is regular shuttle service between the dock and the community.

West Seattle water taxi estimated ridership highlights (seven-day service)
April 29, 2016: 3,018 total riders vs. 963 riders on April 22, 2016. Fullest trips: 236 and 219 passengers at 5:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Friday AM Peak (6:15-9:15 a.m.): 922 riders vs. 301 riders on April 22, 2016.
Friday PM Peak (3:45-7 p.m.): 1,471 riders vs. 423 riders on April 22, 2016.
April 30, 2016: 3,075 total riders, including one sold-out trip at 3:30 p.m. after the Sounders game, compared to 871 riders on Saturday, April 23, 2016.
May 1, 2016: 1,656 total riders, compared to 240 riders Sunday, April 24, 2016.

Vashon Island ridership highlights (weekdays only, includes five added weekday round trips)
· Friday, April 29: 857 total riders vs. 775 riders on April 22, 2016.

Metro Transit monitoring reroutes as they continue through SODO
Twelve bus routes that typically travel the Alaskan Way Viaduct to and from downtown Seattle to West Seattle and South Seattle continue to be rerouted through SODO. During the viaduct closure Metro bus routes 21E, 37, 55, 56, 57, 113, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125 and the RapidRide C Line will be rerouted off of the viaduct at all times.

Metro’s Transit Control Center actively monitors transit delays and is deploying standby buses assigned during the 99 closure, which help maintain posted schedules when delays or gaps in service emerge.