King County water taxi sets ridership record

In the world of public transit, water taxis often get left out of the conversation but, it turns out, the splashy route is more popular than ever in King County.

The King County Executive’s Office announced Monday that the county’s water taxi, which serves riders from Vashon Island and West Seattle coming into downtown Seattle, surpassed last year’s annual record for ridership of more than a half-million boardings.

Ridership is expected to top 600,000 by year’s end. That would be an 84 percent increase from ridership in 2009, according to the Executive’s office. Since starting service as the King County Ferry District in 2007, the water taxi has carried nearly 3.4 million riders.

“When we think about transit, we must be creative,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine in a press release.

“It’s about moving people where they need to be reliably, efficiently, quickly – by bus, vanpool, or shuttle,” he said. “The water taxi manages to accomplish something more. It provides commuters, sports fans, and families with unparalleled beauty, a voyage that many riders wish could last a few minutes longer every trip. It’s a regional treasure that also answers a unique transportation challenge.”

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