WATER TAXI: World Cup matchday ridership set record!

(Friday Water Taxi photos by Therese Bianchi)

Last Friday’s USA vs. Australia World Cup matchday was also a record ridership day for the King County Water Taxi! Metro’s Al Sanders sent this update:

A record number of riders decided to “Make it a Boat Day” on June 19!

Between World Cup soccer, Mariners baseball and the Juneteenth holiday, a record 9,483 riders boarded the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis on Friday, June 19! Of those, 8,552 boardings were on the West Seattle route, shattering a single-day ridership record of 7,721 that stood since 2018!

The Vashon route had 931 boardings, second most and beating the 2014 Seahawks Super Bowl Victory parade by 3 boardings (928). The No. 1 single-day record for Vashon boardings was 994, set just a few months ago during the Seahawks Super Bowl victory parade.

This summer, the water taxi is inviting everyone to “Make it a Boat Day” and people are accepting the offer to make the short 10-15 minute ride to and from West Seattle or a 22-minute trip to Vashon.

The Metro announcement didn’t say what date had set the record in 2018 but we found it in our archives: August 11, 2018, the day of the big Sub Pop Records‘ 30th anniversary party on Alki.

Lauren June 23, 2026 (6:42 pm)

The water taxi is such a treasure.

TM June 23, 2026 (9:06 pm)

Taking the water taxi both ways was one of may highlights of one of the best days I have had in Seattle over 25 years. The vibes everywhere were through the roof, and the water taxi staff rolled out the red carpet as well. Looking forward to the next games!