Water Taxi future update: What the Ferry District Board did today

watertaxisailiconsize.jpgFollowing up on our report this morning about the King County Council meeting today as the Board of Directors for the new county Ferry District, which will operate the Water Taxi and other foot-ferry routes: The only action taken was the adoption of bylaws. The meeting video isn’t in the county’s online archives yet, but here’s the official press release:

The Board of Directors of the King County Ferry District today adopted by-laws to guide its operations as it reviews and develops plans for potential operation of local waterborne transit for county residents.

The by-laws call for representation on the board’s executive committee that reflects the geographic diversity of the entire county.

Board members elected Jane Hague as vice chair of the Ferry District Board.

“As we further analyze the ferry district’s projects and planning efforts, I will be looking for effective and efficient commute options,” said Board vice chair Hague. “It’s also important that the district benefits all parts of King County, including use of these routes as mitigation for major construction projects.”

Members were also briefed on the interlocal agreement between the Ferry District and King County that outlines the County’s role in providing support services for the independent government that is the Ferry District.

A plan for Ferry District operations and funding is expected to be submitted by the County to the Ferry District by November 1. The plan could include passenger-only ferry service to various parts of the county, including service to Vashon Island, the Eastside, and South Puget Sound. The Ferry District board will refine costs and schedules in anticipation of setting a rate later in the year sufficient to provide the services in the final adopted plan.

The Legislature in 2003 granted counties the authority to create local ferry districts that receive funding for operations through a property tax levy. The Council in April created a King County Ferry District that corresponds with the boundaries of King County, with members of the King County Council serving as its board of directors.

6 Replies to "Water Taxi future update: What the Ferry District Board did today"

  • chas redmond October 8, 2007 (7:27 pm)

    Kinda nice to know that a new resident-taxing agency was set up without any residents ever being asked to vote on it, isn’t it?

    You’ll notice that there is a proliferation of transit agencies and still no coordination. Three dollars for a 12 minute ride? I don’t think so. Oh, and where are the multitudes of Metro buses service the existing – or even planned – West Seattle terminal? As I’ve said before, the Water Taxi, as presently constituted, amounts to a pleasure-boat ride for Alki condo owners. To anyone else, it’s not convenient, cost-effective, time-saving or any of the things public transit is supposed to strive to be. And I repeat, the best day of the Water Taxi boardings was projected to be an average day of Morgan Junction monorail station boardings – on something like ten times the frequency throughout the day.

    Is the Water Taxi worth pursuing? At this point, I’m really not that convinced. I’d give the existing service a D on the classic report card scale, and that’s not even counting the cost-effectiveness element. We’re talking a capital investment here of dozens of millions of dollars and a yearly maintenance cost of a dozen million dollars – forever. Is this really going to be worth something?

  • dq October 8, 2007 (7:42 pm)

    although i agree with many of your points, chas, i would like to clarify two things: 1. it is not $3 a ride if you have a metro bus pass (and if you are a commuter, you will most likely have a pass); and, 2. i rode the 5.20 pm water taxi home today and the downstairs was full of commuters, nearly all of whom got on shuttles to the Junction or up to Admiral.

  • Jeff October 8, 2007 (8:51 pm)

    I don’t think it’s a question of whether it’s worth pursuing, but rather if it’s worth expanding. The Water Taxi as it currently is appears to be fairly successful. I think it could be made even better with a few tweaks (for instance, how about a bus that runs all the way up and down California, or what about one that runs down 35th).
    They’re trying to add year round service, which would be nice, but they’ll need to make all these changes to the current setup. Not to mention they’re making us the flagship of a larger effort to get people into mosquito fleets across Lake Washington, which makes me a little nervous.
    Of course all of this is happening under the looming viaduct shutdown, and so far this year round service is one of the only proposals I’ve seen proposed that will could actually alleviate some of that headache.

  • westseattleite October 9, 2007 (10:21 am)

    Is the Jack Block park option dead? I have to agree with Chas, unless they are going to move it out of Seacrest to a place where you can park your car at I don’t think it’s going to benefit as much people as it could. I know I avoid it because it takes me a half hour longer then the bus by the time I line up downtown, take the water taxi, and then take the shuttle back to the Junction and then walk the extra 15 minutes home. I certainly don’t want to walk home from the Junction in the winter when it’s raining.

  • Mickymse October 9, 2007 (4:24 pm)

    Yes, part of the future plans are to have a permanent dock with an increased number of parking spaces.

  • Will October 19, 2007 (11:46 am)

    I think the Water Taxi is great and I’m glad to see the County trying to do something to improve it. I’d gladly pay the new tax if I can get good service. The water taxi raises the value of my West Seattle house – especially with the Viaduct shutdown looming. Buses are fine, but they are stuck in traffic downtown, and on the bridge. There are all too many days where we can walk from work to the Water Taxi at Pier 55 and then shuttle bus and walk home from Seacrest Park – arriving long before our downtown bus would have got us there! We only wish there were more frequent sailings – especially in the afternoon/evening.

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