In 2009:

• Barack Obama made history.
• Captain Sully landed on the Hudson.
• “Slumdog Millionaire” won eight Oscars.
• Matt Hasselbeck was under center for the Seahawks.
• Ken Griffey, Jr., returned to the Mariners.
• And King County started sailing the Salish Sea!

This year marks the 15th anniversary of King County providing passenger-only service to the residents of Vashon Island and the beginning of the King County Water Taxi.

“The water taxi is a vital part of our regional transit system,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The enthusiastic response to regular midday service for both West Seattle and Vashon is no surprise. Here’s to many more years of smooth sailings and happy Water Taxi passengers.”

Prior to King County, Washington State Ferries had been providing passenger-only ferry service to Vashon Island, but the Washington State Legislature eliminated that service in 2007. Determined to restore passenger-only service to Vashon, community activist Sally Fox spearheaded a lobbying campaign in the state legislature, which resulted in legislation giving counties with populations greater than one million the ability to operate their own ferries.

Guess which county took advantage of that legislation to create their own Ferry District? Well, the King County Council approved the creation of the King County Ferry District in April 2007.

While the Ferry District was established in 2007, it did take a little time to get boats on the water.

Fast forward to October 2009, when:

• A Marine Division—which is now part of King County Metro—was created.
• A crew of five—a captain, two engineers and two deckhands—were hired.
• Two vessels—the M/V Melissa Ann and later the M/V Rachel Marie were leased.
• And a location to berth the boats—Washington State Ferries’ old passenger dock at Pier 50—was secured.

It was time to sail and the new passenger-only service to Vashon launched from Pier 50 to the Vashon Ferry Terminal.

The West Seattle Water Taxi also transitioned from operation by Argosy to King County.

In 2015, after six years of operating with leased ships, King County celebrated the christening of two vessels designed specifically as water taxis. One was named for Seattle pioneer David “Doc” Maynard, and the other was for the woman who helped bring passenger-only service back to Vashon: Sally Fox. These state-of-the-art vessels were designed with ADA accessibility standards that were above the current design requirements. They now also have bike racks that support standard, electric and “fat tire” bikes. You can even bring your cat or dog along for the ride!

Over 15 years, the King County Water Taxi system has grown to become a vital part of the regional transportation system.

 “Through the years, the water taxi has become a vital link not only for Vashon and West Seattle, but for communities throughout King County,” said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “Riders know they can avoid traffic, keep the car at home and leave the ‘sailing’ to us for lunch in the West Seattle Junction or for a day bike trip on Vashon.”

When the West Seattle Bridge was shut down in 2020 due to damage to the roadway, Metro and the Seattle Department of Transportation worked together to provide midday sailings to and from West Seattle seven days a week, a service that continues to this day.

And after another successful lobbying effort by its residents, Vashon saw its water taxi service expanded to midday sailings five days a week earlier this year.

“The King County Water Taxi continues to be central to our collective work with community to creative greater connectivity for Vashon Island,” said King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who represents Vashon Island on the King County Council. “I’m glad that in collaboration with the state legislature we were able to make that a reality as we celebrate 15 years of water taxi service.” 

As it celebrates 15 years, the Water Taxi is preparing for the future and working towards the conversion to battery-electric vessels sailing on Puget Sound to help King County reach its climate commitment goals.

 “We are focused on reducingthe emissions produce by the water taxi,” said Marine Division Director Terry Federer. “Our future may be electric, but we are exploring all options on the vessels that could be available as we celebrate future anniversaries!”

Happy Anniversary to our Water Taxi—and smooth sailing for her!