Super Bowl beats Viadoom! West Seattle Water Taxi sets record

Another set of Seahawks Super Bowl victory-related numbers is in – the numbers from the special West Seattle Water Taxi schedule on Wednesday to help people get to and from the historic parade/celebration downtown (more photos in our Wednesday morning coverage).

Today, we asked King County Ferry District administrator AJ McClure for the totals, and he provided this one-sheet. Its introduction:

On Wednesday, February 5, the King County Water Taxi transported a record number of passengers for both its Vashon and West Seattle routes to view the Seahawks Championship Parade. The Vashon route, running its regularly scheduled service, carried 928 passengers. The West Seattle route, aided by an announcement by King County Ferry District Chair Joe McDermott to the West Seattle Blog the previous afternoon that we would provide midday additional service for the event, carried 4,587 passengers for the day. Chair McDermott also proclaimed that the Spirit of Kingston would be known as the M/V Steven Hauschka for the day in honor of the Seahawks placekicker.

Breaking it down – 2,289 passengers total on the West Seattle Water Taxi’s a.m. sailings, 2,298 on the p.m. sailings, adding up to that 4,587 total (with an added boat in the morning, once M/V Melissa Ann finished its a.m. Vashon route sailings).

Last time we remember lines like these was for the famous “Viadoom” Highway 99 closures – but the county also says this BEAT that, big time:

Forgot about Viadoom already? That was the multi-day October 2011 closure for the start of Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition. And remember, whenever the Highway 99 tunnel-digging gets going again, we’re facing a multi-day closure when the machine gets directly beneath what’s left of the elevated Viaduct, so stay tuned.

onion February 6, 2014 (5:49 pm)

Of course West Seattle was practically deserted yesterday as well. I wonder how local businesses fared during the day yesterday. It would be interesting to ask at the local lunch spots, etc.

sam-c February 6, 2014 (7:58 pm)

really? why- do you think that the seahawks should reimburse them or something?
based on the bridge traffic every day, seems like most people leave WS for work. so, instead of going to work downtown, they went to a parade downtown.

cheer up!

G February 6, 2014 (8:21 pm)

For a day, West Seattle felt like it did twenty years ago. Sounds like everyone had a good time, but I have to say I enjoyed a quiet day inside a – warm – office.

Mike February 6, 2014 (9:04 pm)

I’d bet the businesses near Alki benefited from the extra 3,300 people.

Michelle R-R February 6, 2014 (10:26 pm)

We were on the taxis both to and fro! Would like to recognize the boat workers who were of very good cheer despite the cold temps, moved everyone through quickly, and even got a little “SEA-HAWKS” chant going. Well done, thanks for keeping us warm and safe as we crossed the water!

Brooke Belman February 7, 2014 (8:54 am)

I LOVE the water taxi and take it to/from work everyday. It was so nice to see the service fully utilized and with so much positive energy. The crew did an amazing job keeping up with the crowds and maintaining their standard positive and friendly demeanor – despite the freezing temperatures.

West Seattle – we are lucky to have this service!

pjmanley February 7, 2014 (11:41 am)

Kudos to the Water Taxi folks and all who rode. Didn’t encounter one rude person all day, despite the long lines and cold. We’re spoiled to live in a great area, but truthfully, people make all the difference. Let’s remember that, hold onto it, and keep it going.

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