One More By Land, One Less By Sea

Did you know there was passenger ferry service from Kingston to Seattle (and vice versa, of course)? Apparently not enough of you did, or cared, because the private passenger-only ferry service provided by Aqua Express will have a big "Out of Order" sign on it as of October 1 (last day of service is September 30). It was carrying only half the projected ridership, and that combined with ever-rising fuel costs, made it a harder sell when compared to the Washington State Ferry, which doesn't charge on the eastbound routes.

Fuel costs had risen 73% since the service was established. Also, for reasons of its own, the state legislature blocked any expansion plans for the foot ferry partnership (despite its refusal to provide that service), so if the Kingston/Seattle run failed, so would the whole enterprise. So now we have less than two months to schedule that Kingston-for-a-day outing. (Round trip is $10.50 -- plus $6.00 if you bring a bicycle.)

In other transit news, the Seattle P-I reports on the addition of a new train between Seattle and Tacoma, beginning September 26. See, as one transit door closes, another opens. Although you end up in Tacoma instead of Kingston. However, in Tacoma $5 gets you in to see a baseball team that has a chance at the post-season.

The new Sounder train will leave Tacoma at 7:10am and arrive in Seattle's King Street Station at 8:10am, thereby making a mockery of the speed promised by rail service. In the afternoon, it will leave Seattle at 4:20pm, presumably to arrive in Tacoma at 5:20pm (if we dare to extrapolate). The Sound Transit press release doesn't say. Beyond the remark that "Sounder is one of our most popular services," from Sound Transit Board Chair and Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, no details on ridership demand were offered in the release. The P-I reports 20,436 boardings for the Seattle/Tacoma Sounder trains in the third week of August, without reference to total capacity. Perhaps it just seemed like a good idea to someone.

The three-zone fare between Tacoma and Seattle is $4 for adults. Once in Tacoma, you can try out what they call "light rail," which is offered for free. It runs between downtown's theatre district and the Tacoma Dome.