Just confirmed by King County Councilmember Dow Constantine‘s office: The Elliott Bay Water Taxi won’t end its season September 30th as scheduled, but will continue with weekday commute runs, plus runs on two Seahawks home-game Sundays (10/14 and 10/21), through Friday, November 2nd. The shuttle will be extended too. Here’s the weekday schedule for the extended season; scroll down below it to click ahead to the full text of the official announcement.

Here’s the official press release just issued by Dow C’s office and Metro:

Elliott Bay Water Taxi sailing season extended

A banner summer sailing season will prompt an extended autumn run for King County’s Elliott Bay Water Taxi.

Due to anticipated record ridership and higher than expected revenues, King County Metro Transit will extend service on the Water Taxi through the month of October. The extended service will be offered on weekdays only and serve commuters traveling between West Seattle’s Seacrest Dock and Pier 55 along the downtown Seattle waterfront. The Water Taxi had been scheduled to wrap up its 10th sailing season on Sept. 30.

“The value of the Elliott Bay Water Taxi was particularly evident during the Interstate 5 construction when it carried more than 2,300 passengers in nine days,” King County Executive Ron Sims said. “That’s proof more residents are willing to leave their cars at home and try the Water Taxi.”

“Each month of this season’s Water Taxi ridership has exceeded its record 2006 numbers,” said King County Councilmember Dow Constantine. “This shows the viability of waterborne transit as part of King County’s transportation future. Once the King County Ferry District is funded, we can make the Water Taxi and Vashon passenger ferry permanent and establish new routes to take advantage of our region’s navigable waters.”

Beginning Oct. 1, the Water Taxi will run during the following weekday periods:

Monday – Thursday

6:50 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.

3:20 p.m. – 7:10 p.m.

Friday

6:50 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.

3:20 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

The Water Taxi will also offer special event service on the following Seahawks game days:

Sunday, October 14th

Service for 5 p.m. Seahawks game will run from 3 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 21st

Service for 1 p.m. Seahawks game will run from 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The free West Seattle bus shuttle, Route 773, will also extend its operations to coincide with the October Water Taxi schedule.

For more information on Water Taxi schedules and other bus schedules, visit Metro Online at http://transit.metrokc.gov/

The Elliott Bay Water Taxi fall sailing schedule (Oct. 1-Nov. 2) will include the following M-F trips:

From Seacrest Dock: From Pier 55:

6:50 a.m. 7:10 a.m.

7:30 a.m. 7:50 a.m.

8:10 a.m. 8:30 a.m.

8:50 a.m. ———–

———— 3:20 p.m.

3:40 p.m. 4:00 p.m.

4:20 p.m. 4:40 p.m.

5:00 p.m. 5:20 p.m.

5:40 p.m. 6:10 p.m.

6:30 p.m. 6:50 p.m.

7:10 p.m. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. only)

8:00 p.m. (Fri. only) 8:30 p.m. (Fri. only)

9:00 p.m. (Fri. only) 9:30 p.m. (Fri. only)

10:00 p.m. (Fri. only) 10:30 p.m. (Fri. only)

11:00 p.m. (Fri. only)