On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, King County Water Taxi and Commute Seattle surprised commuters from Vashon Island with prizes from local businesses. It was part of an effort called Transit For the Win and Ride Transit Month, which celebrates transit users throughout Seattle.

Water Taxi celebrates Transit For the Win with special ‘Thank You’ to riders

We have some of the most loyal riders around. Last week, King County Water Taxi partnered with Commute Seattle and several local businesses to give a special “Thank You” to nearly 200 of those riders as part of a celebration called Transit For the Win. The scene: a packed 8:15 a.m. sailing out of Vashon…

Mike Sudduth, left, plays a game of cribbage with Richard Franklin, right, as another game of cribbage takes place at the table next to them aboard the MV Sally Fox. Sudduth donated the specially inscribed boards as a way to honor his friend, Sally Fox, who was an advocate for passenger-only ferry service to Vashon Island and the vessel's namesake.

The story behind MV Sally Fox’s cribbage boards

Regulars on King County Water Taxi’s Vashon Island route know them well: glossy wooden cribbage boards stationed at one of four seating areas in the lower passenger deck of the MV Sally Fox. On almost every run, enthusiasts of the popular card-and-board game can be seen huddled around one of these game boards, studying their…

GIF of water taxi photo overlaid with image of ridership 2013, 2014 and 2015, and 515,000 record broken in October 2016.

New record: Ridership soaring on the water taxi!

Middle of last week it happened. Most people were quietly commuting on the water taxi into downtown Seattle when history was made! Thanks to riders, the 2015 record of 515,207 boardings was broken last Wednesday. With more than two months of service left in 2016, there’s a chance ridership might top 600,000. Since starting service as…

Metro shuttle bus for water taxi

Water Taxi Shuttles – making West Seattle more accessible

The open secret in West Seattle’s Junction and Alki areas is that the Water Taxi provides free shuttles to connect riders to the dock for your quick cruise across Elliott Bay. Last year nearly 126,000 riders used the shuttles for commuting, sightseeing, and sometimes both! The Water Taxi provides two routes in West Seattle, operating daily…

Pier 50 with many passengers waiting to board as others exit the Water Taxi.

Ridership is up, marking another great summer on the Water Taxi!

September is here and as summer fades into fall, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank all our loyal riders who enjoy and support the King County Water Taxi. Over the last three months (June through August), both the West Seattle and Vashon routes continue to see strong ridership.  The West Seattle route had…

Why do you ride the King County Water Taxi?

We asked customers that question in this short video hosted by our interns, Julia and Hannah.  They set out to hear directly from passengers as our ridership continues to grow. Whether commuting or sightseeing, riders aboard the King County Water Taxi enjoy the convenience, the scenery, and the freedom to not have to drive in traffic. The water taxi can be a…

Leslie Brown on the dock, water taxi in the background

Water taxi rider: Car-free commute is society at its best

By Leslie Brown A couple of years ago, as I was sitting on the water taxi on my way home to Vashon, I struck up a conversation with a couple from England. As it turned out, they didn’t plan to set foot on the island. They were taking a sunset cruise on the water taxi,…

Thumbnail of Seattle Times Sketcher story

‘Seattle Sketcher’ rides the Water Taxi

We had a recent celebrity sighting on the West Seattle route of the Water Taxi! The Seattle Sketcher (aka Seattle Times artist Gabriel Campanario) played tourist for a day with his family. He shares the souvenirs of his trip with readers at the Seattle Times via “Seattle’s quite perfect for a Staycation.” We’re in the…