Policy Notes

Since 1997, King County has successfully contracted with Argosy Cruises, a private ferry company based in Seattle, to operate the West Seattle Water Taxi. In 2009, Argosy operated the route from April through October and carried a record 200,000 passenger trips, a 21 percent increase over the previous year. Under the public/private partnership with Argosy Cruises, the total cost for seven months of operations was $808,000 in 2009, or about $115,000 per month.

King County policymakers decided to terminate the partnership with Argosy Cruises and operate the West Seattle Ferry themselves. In April of this year, King County began operating the route independently and implemented year-round service.

The decision was a costly one for King County property owners.

Read the full Policy Note here