A ferry ride from the island’s north end puts passengers in West Seattle — an, at best, 20 minute drive from downtown. The choice from there is to deal with frustrations of having a car in Seattle — traffic, parking and one-way streets at seemingly every turn — or try to navigate the city’s public transportation to the area closest to where you’d like to go and still end up walking miles. Pair all of this with the ferry system’s recent summer messes, and a quick jaunt to the city for work or play turns into a recipe for frustration that leaves many dreading just the thought of leaving our small, relatively traffic-free island.
But there is an alternative if you can manage to catch the boat during its limited commuting hours — and after it comes back in service next week. The King County water taxi can get passengers from Vashon Island to the heart of downtown Seattle in 20 minutes without traffic and without their cars. And while the Doc Maynard and Sally Fox are far smaller than their 3,000-ton ferry counterparts that depart from the same dock, unless there is inclement weather or a mechanical issue, they provide punctual smooth rides.
The boats drop passengers off at Seattle’s Pier 50, steps from the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market and within walking distance of just about anywhere in town — it takes about 30 minutes to walk up to the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
But there is a problem with these boats. They only operate eight sailings each weekday between the hours of 6 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.: ideal for commuters, but not so much for mid-day errand-runners or those seeking a weekend out on the town. This should change.
The water taxi has the ability to provide convenient transportation to the city for islanders who are willing to leave their cars behind — a move that not only is environmentally friendly by taking cars off the road, but can help take some of the summer burden off of the overwhelmed ferry system.
It has become painfully clear that there will not be a fix to the issues caused by heavy ferry traffic at Fauntleroy anytime soon, or ever. Complaints are continuing, and progress is anything but noticeable in a situation with so many logistical constraints and restrictions. Islanders have started a petition that will be sent to the state.
But there is potentially an easier solution. Lobby the county to increase water taxi runs if not year-round then at least for the summer months. It’s time to get creative.
It was the work of islander Sally Fox that allowed the island to keep the passenger-only water taxi, and it can be the work of more to expand the service.
Visit tinyurl.com/y7k5mfbf to contact Water Taxi officials.
