Metropolitan King County Councilmember Greg Nickels announced today that the Elliott Bay Water Taxi carried its 100,000^th passenger last week. While heralding the successful ridership rate, Nickels points out that the next few months will help determine whether the service becomes a permanent commute alternative.

"We know that the Water Taxi has clearly become a popular commute alternative during summer months. My hope is that through autumn and winter, we will continue to see sustained ridership figures," said Nickels.

King County is operating the water taxi as a one-year demonstration to determine the viability of the water taxi as a regular transportation option before committing to the extensive capital investment necessary for a permanent dock facility.

"Whether the Elliott Bay Water Taxi is a demo project or permanent alternative is up to the riders and local government. My intention is to see this seasonal demonstration project blossom into a year-round commute alternative serving thousands of passengers a week," said Nickels.

Water Taxi service across Seattle’s Elliott Bay operates seven days a week, between Pier 54 at the foot of Madison Street on the downtown Seattle waterfront and the Seacrest dock in West Seattle. The crossing time between Seacrest and Pier 54 is approximately eight minutes.