West Seattle Water Taxi plans for August’s major music events: Pearl Jam, SPF30

(WSB photo, March 2018)

A question from Kirsten led us to ask the King County Water Taxi team about plans for the upcoming Pearl Jam concerts at Safeco Field, and while we were asking, we inquired about the reported plans to add service for SPF30, the Sub Pop Records 30th anniversary extravaganza at Alki. Here’s what we found out from Water Taxi spokesperson Brent Champaco:

PEARL JAM AT SAFECO FIELD, AUGUST 8 & 10: “We are not planning to operate extended evening service for the Pearl Jam concert Wednesday, Aug. 8; however, on Aug. 10 we will be operating on our regular Friday schedule for West Seattle, which already has extended sailings. We typically do not run extended service for special events other than evening home Mariners, Seahawks and Sounders FC games.”

SPF30 AT ALKI, AUGUST 11: “We have been working directly with Sub Pop Records … On Saturday, Aug. 11, in addition to the MV Doc Maynard running its regular Saturday service, we plan on running an extra boat (the MV Sally Fox) on the West Seattle route from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 7:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m. These times are when we expect most people to be traveling to, and returning from, the event.” (Sub Pop has promised full transportation details soon.)

6 Replies to "West Seattle Water Taxi plans for August's major music events: Pearl Jam, SPF30"

  • Kris Stafie July 31, 2018 (12:45 pm)

    This is really poor planning by King County. There are many local people going to this concert and we want to take the ferry roundtrip.  It’s sad they can’t make accommodations for these events and only for sports.  I am glad SubPop is already planning this for the weekend event but still very disappointed by Brent’s response above.  

    • CAM August 1, 2018 (8:01 am)

      Safeco has many sold out concerts that people attend and I’ve never heard of them extending the water taxi service hours. Why would they do that for this? The stadium doesn’t suddenly hold more people and I’m assuming those other events draw just as many people from West Seattle. The 21 bus will get you a heck of a lot closer to Safeco than the Water Taxi will anyways and has late hours with fairly rapid pickups. I have experienced Metro sending extra buses after a baseball game so that might be more feasible. 

  • Dawson July 31, 2018 (3:55 pm)

    Let’s see. Concert that has sold more tickets than the typical sporting events held in the same stadium. Nope. Not going to help out. Guess I’ll be part of the gridlock in Sodo on the 8th. Thanks king county for nothing

  • Kalo July 31, 2018 (8:18 pm)

    Extra Water Taxi shuttle buses would be a terrific thing also, as the regular buses only hold about 20 passengers. Some drivers will allow passengers to stand up (behind the yellow line), others will not allow it.

  • Cookie July 31, 2018 (10:58 pm)

    FYI…since there’s no water taxi service for Vashon on weekends, its a nice gesture to have the Sally Fox (Vashons assigned boat) available for West Seattle’s Saturday event…however, lets not forget, it IS in service weekdays for Vashon…

  • LAH August 1, 2018 (10:06 am)

    The water taxi being extended for ANY concert at Safeco or Century Link would make tons of sense for lessening the gridlock.  I would definitely use it.  

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