West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle Water Taxi back in service for this afternoon

Just announced by the King County Marine Division – after mechanical trouble cut short the Monday night service (as reported here) and canceled this morning’s runs entirely, the West Seattle Water Taxi is back in service for this afternoon/evening, starting with the 3:45 run from downtown.

Update: West Seattle Water Taxi canceled Tuesday morning, too

6:10 PM: Multiple reports via Twitter and e-mail of engine trouble just as the 5:45 pm West Seattle Water Taxi run from downtown was arriving at Seacrest. Checking on its status.

(Photo by Bill Schrier – looking down toward engine room before docking at 6 pm)
6:25 PM UPDATE: It’s just been confirmed by King County, the West Seattle Water Taxi is canceled for the rest of the night. That means no 6:15 or 6:45 runs from downtown, no 6:30 or 7 pm runs from West Seattle. We’re expecting an update later on its status for tomorrow.

9:24 PM UPDATE: It’s also just been announced, the West Seattle Water Taxi will be canceled for Tuesday morning, too. Too soon to say what’ll happen Tuesday afternoon.

West Seattle Water Taxi: Reminder about March fare increase

(WSB photo from Seacrest, October 2011)
The West Seattle Water Taxi is coming off a big year – ridership numbers published online show its usage up 40 percent last year, compared to 2009, and it wasn’t all the extra “Viadoom” ridership in October – the ridership in December was more than triple that of a year earlier. Some big things are ahead for the King County Ferry District, which manages the run – including new vessels and a new administrator. and, as we first reported last month, a fare increase this spring. Today, the county has just sent out a reminder about the increase:

King County Water Taxi fares will be going up on March 1. The adult and youth fare for one-way trips on the West Seattle and Vashon routes will increase by 50 cents. Passengers with reduced fare permits will pay an additional 25 cents per ride.

This is the first fare increase since the King County Ferry District began operating the Water Taxi service nearly three years ago.

“The additional revenue generated from this increase, along with growing ridership and our continuing efforts to contain costs, will be important factors in helping us sustain this service in the long-term,” King County Ferry District Chair Joe McDermott said.

Both the Vashon Island and West Seattle routes provide year-round, weekday commute service. During the peak season, April through October, service on the West Seattle route expands to seven days a week, including extended hours on weekends and selected nights.

The fare increase is expected to generate in excess of $150,000 annually. This revenue will help offset operating costs and contribute to the King County Water Taxi’s overall financial stability.

Over the past year, ridership has hit record highs. The Rachel Marie, operating between West Seattle and downtown, has seen a 40 percent jump in annual ridership when compared to 2010.The Melissa Ann operates at near capacity between Vashon and downtown Seattle.

As a result of passenger demand, work has begun with the U.S. Coast Guard to raise capacity on both vessels from 150 to 172 passengers by early summer.

Efforts are also underway to replace the District’s aging fleet of leased vessels and improve passenger staging areas.

The new boats will be funded mostly by federal grants, as we reported last month. Meantime, the county says it’s getting closer to hiring a district administrator.

2nd West Seattle Water Taxi ticket machine coming to Seacrest

(WSB photo from October 2010)
With rising West Seattle Water Taxi ridership – noted here a week ago – comes a rising demand for tickets, so the county is about to install a second ticket machine at Seacrest. It’ll be right next to the first one, according to this afternoon’s announcement, which mentions another change as of this Thursday:

On the same date, a new King County Ferry District fare policy will be implemented. Tickets sold through our TVMs will now show a sixty-day expiration date. Please be aware of this change, as the ticket will not be valid beyond the listed date.

(And remember that, as also reported here last week, fares will go up 50 cents next spring.) P.S. Holiday schedule note – no Water Taxi service next Monday.

West Seattle Water Taxi ridership skyrockets: Not just ‘Viadoom’

(WSB photo from October 24, taken at Seacrest Pier)
We were asked recently about West Seattle Water Taxi ridership since the week-plus Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. Found the answer hiding in plain sight on the Water Taxi website. Even after the late-October closure, ridership ran way above last year, according to this month-by-month chart, which reports 9,734 rides last month – close to quadruple the 2,578 rides in November of last year. According to both the King County Ferry District‘s online budget documents and discussions we’ve had with the staff of County Councilmember Joe McDermott (who chairs the Ferry District’s Board, another set of hats the council wears), the 2012 plan for the Water Taxi includes a 50-cent fare increase in the spring as well as ongoing planning for new vessels to take the place of the leased boats that have been in use on the WS and Vashon routes. (Most of the cost of those boats will be borne by grants from the federal government.) One more note: No Water Taxi service on the two upcoming “official holiday” Mondays, December 26 and January 2.

West Seattle, Vashon Water Taxis back to their usual vessels

King County Water Taxi management says the Rachel Marie is now fixed (after breaking down during the Friday pm commute) and back on the West Seattle run, which means the Melissa Ann is back on the Vashon run. (One more reminder – the West Seattle winter schedule, Monday-Friday only and commute hours only, is in effect now; see it here.)

West Seattle Water Taxi, post-closure: Winter starts Monday

(Thursday photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
It’s been beautiful every morning this week out at Seacrest Pier, with views like that one, for our crew tracking the West Seattle Water Taxi‘s usage as a commute alternative during this Alaskan Way Viaduct closure week. It’s had an extended schedule, with extra runs, each weekday during the closure. And ridership has been at least triple last month’s average, according to the county’s stats.

But just so it doesn’t catch you by surprise, whether you’re a Water Taxi veteran or new convert, we want to remind you that the winter schedule begins Monday. This is the second year the Water Taxi is running through the winter. The biggest change is again that it’s a Monday-Friday, commute-times-only schedule. See the winter schedule here. This schedule continues into March, and then it’s back to 7-day-a-week runs.

Midday notes: Royal Brougham ramp closed; Water Taxi followup…

4 midday notes related to our current state of Viaductlessness:

(Demolition photo by Erick, from a nearby crane; click for larger image)
*First, the Royal Brougham ramp to northbound 99 is NOT open right now. Though WSDOT had planned to open it 5 am-7 pm all week long, the demolition work has turned out to be too close for comfort, as the Seattle Times (WSB partner) reports. Current estimate is that it’ll reopen at 2 pm. Travis Phelps from WSDOT tells WSB, “No chunks fell onto the ramp. But we did close it for safety reasons to complete work to demolish a large section of the viaduct at this location.” (1:26 pm update – WSDOT aiming for a 3:30 pm reopening)

*Second, for those who wondered why the West Seattle Water Taxi couldn’t shoehorn a few more people in, the Melissa Ann and Rachel Marie currently certified for 150 passengers maximum, though the office of County Councilmember Joe McDermott (Ferry District board chair) reminds us they’re hoping to get that raised to 172 early next year. Meantime, even if the Rachel Marie wasn’t out for repairs (no estimated return time yet) today, they say, logistics of loading/unloading that many people make it impossible for more-frequent runs.

*(added 12:48 pm) Third – In our morning as-it-unfolded coverage, we mentioned the extra police patrols on the high bridge for bus-lane violators. SPD Blotter reports they issued 23 tickets between 6 and 8 am, all but one for the lane violation.

*(added 2:11 pm) Fourth – a link for your mobile phone to get the city’s new live video from the West Seattle Bridge – follow this link, click MENU, then click LIVE TRAFFIC VIDEO.

If there are any more traffic notes between now and about 4, we’ll add them to this story; that’s when we’ll start our comprehensive PM-commute coverage.

West Seattle Water Taxi: Different boat Monday morning

(Melissa Ann, photographed Friday by Donna Payne)
If you’re taking the West Seattle Water Taxi, you’ll be riding Melissa Ann on Monday morning instead of Rachel Marie. The regular WS boat has broken down, the county just announced – BUT they say there will be NO CHANGE in the special, increased schedule:

Mechanical problem to the Rachel Marie causes change in vessels for Monday morning sailings-

A mechanical problem to the Rachel Marie will keep her out of service this Monday, October 24. The Victoria Clipper III will service the Vashon Island Route. The Melissa Ann will be servicing the West Seattle Route. Both routes will run their regularly scheduled sailings (including additional West Seattle service) and neither route’s capacity will be impacted.

The Melissa Ann and Rachel Marie are “twins.”

If you got the Water Taxi alert re: Pier 50 sidewalk: Never mind

Right around lunchtime today, the King County Water Taxi “alert” list got an alarming message saying that the sidewalk by the WT’s downtown dock, Pier 50, would be closed for work starting … immediately:

Water Taxi-riding WSB’ers e-mailed us (and posted in the WSB Forum) saying essentially: “WHAT?” We checked with King County Councilmember Joe McDermott‘s office, since he also chairs the Ferry District board. It was news to them too. BOTTOM LINE: We’ve just heard from Michelle Allison on the McDermott team, and she says the work has been postponed till November – AFTER the Viaduct closure. (The “alert” list subsequently received this:)

Meantime, our daily Viaduct updates have been delayed due to breaking news this afternoon (including some in White Center), but check back here later this evening! And remember, the closure starts at **7:30 pm** tomorrow – so it will NOT affect the Friday morning/evening rush hours.

Viaduct closure countdown: Bus, Water Taxi infoblitz ahead

(Among those in our photo from the 6th Ave. S. bus yard: King Co. Marine Div. Dir. Scott Davis, far left; Seattle Times [WSB partner] transportation reporter Mike Lindblom, a West Seattleite, at center)
Just back from a briefing this afternoon by King County Metro and Water Taxi officials, with yet more information to share about the looming Alaskan Way Viaduct closure (7:30 pm Friday, October 21, to 5 am Monday, October 31st). Some of the newest toplines include an infoblitz headed your way:

*70,000 mailers are going out, including free bus tickets

*Posters will be going up, distributed in West Seattle and elsewhere

*Metro has a special web section at kingcounty.gov/getyouthere

*Metro runs that take the Viaduct now will take 4th or 3rd Avenue that week. Coming off the West Seattle Bridge, buses will take the 1st Avenue South exit, and will travel up eastbound lower Spokane Street to turn left onto 4th – cars will not be able to turn left there, only buses, and a uniformed officer will be there to facilitate this.

*The West Seattle Water Taxi has a brochure about the extra runs it’s adding that week (the special schedule is linked from this infopage).

*Water Taxi managers will be at the dock that first commute morning (Monday 10/24) and as many other mornings as needed to help out

A few other notes, some of which we have reported here before:

*Extra Water Taxi parking along Harbor – overnight parking will be prohibited those days, in hopes of opening more spaces for commuters – and at half of Don Armeni Boat Ramp (no special WT shuttle stop there, though), for about 200 total potential all-day spaces.

*The Water Taxi shuttles will include larger – though nonbranded – vehicles that week. Note that the larger shuttles can carry up to two bicycles each; current shuttles have no bike rack. The Water Taxi vessel has an 18-bicycle capacity.

*If you plan to try different commute methods on for size, considering entering the West Seattle Commute Choice Challenge.

ADDED 4:21 PM: The official news release related to this afternoon’s briefing is here.

West Seattle Water Taxi: The latest Viaduct-closure-week plan

As first reported here last month, the West Seattle Water Taxi will add runs, shuttle-bus capacity, and parking for the weekdays that fall during the October 21-31 Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. A news release with official final details is just in from the King County Ferry District – including the full WT schedule for the closure period – read on: Click to read the rest of West Seattle Water Taxi: The latest Viaduct-closure-week plan…

West Seattle Water Taxi to add runs, parking during Alaskan Way Viaduct’s 9-day, 10-night closure

During the previous two media briefings we’ve covered regarding the upcoming 9-day, 10-night Alaskan Way Viaduct closure (October 21-31), there hasn’t been much information available about how the West Seattle Water Taxi will be made more usable for the duration – though there were promises that the information was forthcoming. The first major round of updates has just been provided by County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who is also chair of the King County Ferry District Board – details ahead: Click to read the rest of West Seattle Water Taxi to add runs, parking during Alaskan Way Viaduct’s 9-day, 10-night closure…

9-day Viaduct shutdown: Making the Water Taxi easier to use

(Photo courtesy Debra Herbst, taken @ Seacrest 7/20/11, when big events boosted WT ridership)
After last Monday’s announcement of the official dates for October’s 9-day/10-night Alaskan Way Viaduct construction/demolition closure, some asked about the West Seattle Water Taxi – would it add more runs during the shutdown? The short answer from King County was, no – runs were already added earlier this year, and the service was finally extended to be year-round. However, Michelle Allison from the office of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (who chairs the King County Ferry District Board, an alter-ego of the KC Council) says they are working on ideas for making it more “accessible” during that time. In particular, she told WSB, they’re trying to figure out if they can ease the parking crunch for people trying to get to Seacrest to catch the WT, since the shuttle/bus routes don’t work for everyone. Any specific ideas – that would be easily implementable, temporarily and quickly – that YOU think would make the WT easier to use?

P.S. Yet another reminder – the West Seattle Water Taxi is on a Sunday schedule tomorrow (Labor Day), as are its shuttle buses, while the Vashon Water Taxi won’t run at all.

West Seattle Water Taxi: Extra run after tonight’s Seahawks game

If you’re taking the West Seattle Water Taxi to tonight’s football game, King County wants to be sure you know they’ve added an extra run back to West Seattle at 11 pm – the 10:30 pm run from Pier 50 is usually the last one from downtown to WS. (This also gives us one more excuse to remind you that the WS Water Taxi and its shuttles are on a Sunday schedule on Labor Day.)

Busy night for West Seattle Water Taxi – plus, ridership stats

(Photo courtesy Debra Herbst, taken @ Seacrest this evening)
We hear the West Seattle Water Taxi is getting a sizable turnout for its extended service tonight with two big events downtown. Checking its website, we noticed ridership stats are published for the first half of this year – here’s the screengrab of the table:

It should be noted that the first two months of 2010 (April and May – year-round service didn’t start till 2011) were reported as significantly down from the year before; we are still checking the archives for other longer-term comparisons.

Wednesday traffic alert: Big soccer game; extra Water Taxi service

Heads up for Wednesday night: The Seattle Sounders-Manchester United soccer game at 7 pm Wednesday will bring an estimated 66,000 people to the stadium zone. But the good news is that you can take the West Seattle Water Taxi – it’s running Wednesday night between Pier 50 and Seacrest every half hour from 7:30 to 10:30 pm, the county says. (Thanks to Jissy for the tip!) There’s also a series of bus reroutes – read on: Click to read the rest of Wednesday traffic alert: Big soccer game; extra Water Taxi service…

West Seattle Water Taxi vessel fixed, back in service

After a “mechanical failure” that made Rachel Marie unavailable for this morning’s runs, the county says it’s repaired and will resume its normal West Seattle Water Taxi schedule for this afternoon.

West Seattle Water Taxi trouble: No service till 9 am

The West Seattle Water Taxi vessel Rachel Marie has had a “mechanical failure” and there’ll be no service on the run till 9 am, leaving downtown, according to an alert from King County Department of Transportation. They’ll be using the Melissa Ann, which is the Vashon-to-downtown boat.

West Seattle Water Taxi: Rachel Marie back in service

The West Seattle Water Taxi‘s regular vessel Rachel Marie is back in service after almost a week of repair work. It was returned to the run without fanfare yesterday afternoon, according to this update on the county website, which means the Melissa Ann is back on the Vashon route.

West Seattle Water Taxi update: Rachel Marie back next week?

Just in case you were wondering … After three days of the Melissa Ann filling in for the undergoing-repairs Rachel Marie on the West Seattle-Downtown Seattle run of the King County Water Taxi, we checked with the county Transportation Department to see how repairs are going. Spokesperson Rochelle Ogershok says the work is still under way but: “We’re estimating the Rachel Marie will be back in service this weekend or early next week.” The Melissa Ann is usually on the Vashon-to-downtown Water Taxi run, which is currently being handled by the Victoria Express (details here).

More trouble for West Seattle Water Taxi vessel Rachel Marie

(WSB photo of Rachel Marie, from last month)>
7:53 PM: Just in from King County:

Over the weekend, the Water Taxi crew discovered a small crack in the hull plating of the Rachel Marie. The King County Marine Division has made arrangements to use another vessel, the Victoria Express, while the Rachel Marie is being repaired. The Victoria Express is a mono-hulled vessel of similar passenger capacity to the Rachel Marie and Melissa Ann, but it travels at slightly slower speeds and its length is better suited for the Vashon dock than the Seacrest dock in West Seattle. So beginning on Monday, June 6, the Victoria Express will be put into service on the Vashon Island/Downtown Seattle route, and the Melissa Ann will provide service on the West Seattle/Downtown Seattle route.

ADDED 8:09 PM: The issue of a backup vessel is one the county had been working on since other recent problems that pulled the Rachel Marie out of service, according to Michelle Allison from the office of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (who is King County Ferry District board chair). We had also asked her recently about the status of the plan for the county eventually to have new boats built for the West Seattle and Vashon runs:

We recently wrapped up an expert review panel and expect the final report soon. This was an important step for us in discussing what elements our new boats should include – the number of passengers, technical specifications, etc. Once the Board receives the final report, they will spend some time reviewing and then they will develop the detailed procurement documents needed to secure a builder.

Background on the RM and its recent history of trouble, ahead: Click to read the rest of More trouble for West Seattle Water Taxi vessel Rachel Marie…

Video: West Seattle Water Taxi crew honored as heroes

On the West Seattle Water Taxi‘s downtown pier about an hour ago, King County Ferry District board chair Joe McDermott and member Larry Phillips honored the crew who rescued a diver. Here’s our coverage from May 10th, including a photo of the Rachel Marie just off Seacrest during the rescue. As was recounted in coverage that day, Captain Neal Amaral maneuvered the passenger ferry into place, and crewmember Aaron Barnett jumped into the water till the diver was safely secured into a sling.

Also honored (our video shows the short ceremony in its entirety), their fellow crewmembers Frank Massaro – who received a citation last year from the U.S. Coast Guard for rescuing a man in the water near Pier 50 – and engineer Vik Misic. All of their roles in the rescue are recapped in today’s county news release – click ahead to read it in its entirety: Click to read the rest of Video: West Seattle Water Taxi crew honored as heroes…

West Seattle Water Taxi numbers, before/after 99 Squeeze

As promised, we have before/after numbers on the West Seattle Water Taxi, through the prism of the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct lane-reduction “squeeze” that began one week ago today.

For the week BEFORE the Squeeze, morning-commute ridership averaged 90 passengers daily, afternoon-commute ridership averaged 150 passengers daily.

For last week, the numbers jumped 50+ percent in the morning – averaging 140 passengers – and doubled in the pm, to 300.

From the office of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (who also chairs the King County Ferry District Board), Michelle Allison says, “We look forward to this trend continuing. There is still plenty of room on the boat and the free shuttle that meets the taxi at Seacrest dock, bringing riders to several important transfer points, including 35th and Avalon. From here riders can catch the 54, 55, 21 and 22 buses.” (The schedule for the 775 to Admiral/Alki is here; the schedule for the 773 to The Junction, and part-time to Morgan Junction, is here.)

West Seattle commute: Water Taxi ridership keeps rising

Thinking of taking the Water Taxi today, after what commenters say has been a steadily worsening Highway 99 commute post-lane reductions? Here’s the schedule. The county tells us that through the first three days of the week, ridership has been consistently higher than the previous week, particularly on the afternoon runs. We stopped by Seacrest for photos on Wednesday and counted 31 people disembarking around 4:30 pm. We’re expecting official numbers in a week-one wrapup on Monday.

West Seattle Water Taxi update: Back in service tomorrow

The county says the Rachel Marie has been repaired and will be back on its regular West Seattle-Downtown Seattle Water Taxi schedule tomorrow. They also say the delay in getting an alert out about this morning’s sudden problem was because it took a while for the crew to figure out what was wrong and how serious it was, and they’ll try to be faster in the future.

West Seattle Water Taxi update: Canceled for the rest of the day

Just in from King County Department of Transportation:

West Seattle-Downtown Seattle Water Taxi service has been canceled for the remainder of the day due to a mechanical problem. Metro DART shuttles 773 and 775 are operating on their regular schedules.

An update about tomorrow’s Water Taxi service will be provided this evening. Please monitor service alerts, check the Water Taxi web site, kingcounty.gov/watertaxi, or call the Water Taxi information line at 206-684-1551.

Metro Route 37 provides service between downtown Seattle and Alki during commute hours. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/metro or call the Metro Customer Information Office at 206-553-3000 for trip planning information.

And of course we’ll have an update here once the outlook for tomorrow is made public. We first reported the problems with the Water Taxi shortly after 8 this morning, thanks to WSB’ers who called/texted/e-mailed, and that was more than an hour before official alerts were issued. If you have news to share, 206-293-6302 any time (other ways to contact us are listed here).