King County Water Taxi continues service during the fall, winter amid high demand

As other transit operations cut back their fall and winter services, King County Water Taxi has decided to stay open seven days a week, through most of the day.

If you ride the King County Water Taxi to and from West Seattle, your seasonal, water-based commuting option will still be available. Starting Oct. 14, the water taxi will continue its midday and weekend sailings between downtown Seattle and Seacrest dock in West Seattle.

Visit Vashon Island or West Seattle on King County’s water taxi

Mike Beck, interim director with King County Metro Marine Services Division and Water Taxi Service says that the water taxi was able to stay open because of an increase in county funding, along with the popularity of the service as a way to get to West Seattle for the past two years.

“Oh yes, we are really excited about it! Last year, due to the West Seattle Bridge closure, the city stepped up and funded and continued the water taxi service,” Beck said. “We are happy to announce, that we are going to be operating an extended service again for the West Seattle Water Taxi through the winter starting in October through April!”

In the past, we would reduce the level of service to peak hours, but because of demand, we want to keep it going as a pilot program. It’s possible this will become a regular route.”

A large majority of people use the service for work and sports events, while some are tourists that just want to cruise the Puget Sound. The pilot program is intended to take a look at the service route and see if the funding justifies keeping it open with the ridership.

“One thing [the pilot program] gives us is a better work-ship,” Beck said. “It will help with retention, deck hands, and crews so we don’t have to lay off people and then bring them back and train them again.”

With expanded winter service, the West Seattle Water Taxi will run seven days a week, beginning at 6 a.m. and the last trip will depart Seacrest at 7 p.m. On the weekends you can expect the first sail at 8:30 a.m. For now, summer service ends at 10:30 p.m.

Boats will leave the dock every 35 minutes during peak commuter hours and, once an hour during mid-day and on weekends.

The cost is $5.75 one-way and $5 if you use your Orca LIFT card, with children and teens 18-and-under able to ride for free.

In order to get the program up and running for the winter, staff will be conducting maintenance October 15th and 16th, so West Seattle service will be canceled on those days.

You can find the full King County Water Taxi schedule here.

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