West Seattle Water Taxi shuttle to serve Morgan Junction part-time

Some years back, the King County (then Elliott Bay) Water Taxi shuttle bus ran all the way south to Morgan Junction, in addition to the current route between Alki and The (Alaska) Junction. This year, according to word we just received from Susan Whitmore with the King County Department of Transportation, the shuttle will run to Morgan Junction part of the time again. Specifically, she says, it will include Morgan Junction in the midday time period on weekdays – a time when ridership otherwise is low. And it’s not so much about getting to the Water Taxi itself, Whitmore explains, it’s about getting people around the area: “We were able to extend service without increasing our current budget or impacting the shuttle schedule. This extension allows us to provide midday transit service to residents around Morgan Junction. Ridership on the route extension will be evaluated during the summer.” Exact details on the schedule aren’t out yet, but the route it will follow is shown on this map (partly shown at right). As previously noted, the Water Taxi starts its season next Monday, April 5, with a new West Seattle dock, different downtown dock, new vessel, and new fare structure – note that there have been changes in the passes that will be accepted, too. The season-opening celebration is planned for the following Sunday, April 11, with free rides all day. ADDED THURSDAY: Here’s the Route 773 schedule.

old timer March 31, 2010 (12:08 pm)

Hot Dog!
Let’s hope it catches on and grows.

odroku March 31, 2010 (12:12 pm)

I don’t consider myself stupid, by any means, but everytime I go to the transit sites to figure out how the payment system works/differs between the water taxi and general bus service, I want to kick a cat.

KatherineL March 31, 2010 (1:05 pm)

I wish the shuttle would go to Ballard, too. It’s going to be harder and harder to visit my friend up there.

Noelle March 31, 2010 (1:36 pm)

And it keeps getting better! Yay!

Noelle March 31, 2010 (1:41 pm)

odroku – Metro’s website is a pain! Don’t kick a cat though! The best thing to do is to call Metro my phone (old school style) & press 0 & talk to a REAL person. The Metro staff are all very helpful and are a lot easier to deal with than the website! King County Metro’s phone number is (206) 553-3000. They are there to help 24/7 but not on holidays or “furlow” days

Yardvark March 31, 2010 (3:57 pm)

Excellent news! It’s been such a hassle in the past to get down to the water taxi, and I love taking that commute.

What are the chances that we can just get the Water Taxi to stop over at the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock?

natinstl March 31, 2010 (4:29 pm)

I was excited until I saw that it was mid day service they were considering. Unfortunately for those of us who live closer to Morgan Junction vs. Alaska Junction we will still have a hard time if we want to take a shuttle during regular commuting hours. I envy those of you who can use the water taxi as a viable means of commuting to work, but even from California and Juneau it still takes too long when you factor in getting to the boat.

Pat March 31, 2010 (7:08 pm)

I was pretty excited about this until I read the comment that said the shuttle would *only* go to Morgan Junction midday. WSB, is this the case? Or is it that they’re *adding* midday service to Morgan Junction?

If the shuttle came to Morgan Junction during commuting hours, I’d probably ride it as my primary way to work.

Thanks for clarifying.

WSB March 31, 2010 (7:23 pm)

I am seeking the specific schedule. Pending that, my understanding from two county folks who told us about this is that it will serve Morgan Junction at midday only, weekdays only, in addition to the rest of the regular service areas. Hope to have more followup info tomorrow.

austin April 1, 2010 (8:58 am)

This is great news, as the only real downside to the water taxi as a commuting option is the horrible bus service to Seacrest. There needs to be more water taxi shuttles.

Sorry, comment time is over.