Ballard could get a water taxi

The King County Ferry District is looking to expand its water taxi service from two routes to possibly seven, including one right here in Ballard.

The route would be from Shilshole Marina to downtown, and it would be run much like the Elliott Bay Water Taxi that goes from West Seattle to downtown (pictured above.) The other possible routes are from Des Moines through Elliott Bay to Seattle and across Lake Washington from Kirkland, Renton & Kenmore. In August of this year, KC Councilman Larry Phillips, the KC Ferry District and other Ballard stakeholders first looked into the possibility, and at last week’s Ballard District Council Meeting the council appointed a group of citizens to gauge the interest of the ferry service.

“The first demonstration route is scheduled to begin summer 2009, followed each year by an additional new route. Each route will start with a two-year demonstration period followed by a third year transition to permanent service if the service is successful,” according to the KC Ferry District’s website. No word on which route will be first to be tested. Would you use it?