King County Ferry District

King County Ferry District
Locale King County, Washington
Waterway Puget Sound, Lake Washington
Transit type Water taxi, Passenger ferry
Operator Argosy Cruises (water taxi), King County Department of Transportation Marine Division
Began operation 2007
No. of lines 2
No. of terminals 3

The King County Ferry District (KCFD) is a special-purpose district in King County, Washington that owns and operates the King County Water Taxi, a passenger ferry service. Its governing board of directors is composed of all nine members of the Metropolitan King County Council. The district is funded through a property tax levied on all property in the county.[1]

In April 2007, nearly a century after the “Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet,” a new county-wide Ferry District was formed by the Metropolitan King County Council to expand transportation options for county residents.[2]

The Ferry District is building on the historic Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet to address modern day challenges. By expanding transportation choices to include passenger ferries, the KCFD will prepare for continued population growth and address the quality of life issues related to managing traffic congestion and its impact on the environment.[3]

Routes

The KCFD took over the operations of two existing passenger ferry services and rebranded them the King County Water Taxi. Currently, there are two passenger-only routes. Both originate in Downtown Seattle. One route serves the Heights Dock on the north end of Vashon Island and the other serves the Seacrest Dock in the Alki neighborhood of West Seattle.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "OPINION: Passenger Ferries: A mobility solution", Seattle Times November 29, 2007 (accessed 5/31/2008)
  2. ↑ Metropolitan King County Council. About the King County Ferry District
  3. ↑ "LOCAL NEWS: King County dives into foot ferries", Seattle Post Intelligencer, November 14, 2007 (Accessed 5/31/2008)
  4. ↑ King County Water Taxi Fact Sheet

External links