Two match days, 1.1 million boardings, and a new single-day record for Water Taxi ridership

ByJeff Switzer, King County Metro
Bus with Match Day Shuttle on sign

Mix two match days, add some baseball and include a healthy dose of sunny weather. The result: record ridership as the region continues to choose transit over driving.

King County Metro and Sound Transit have released preliminary ridership estimates of 1.1 million boardings systemwide for June 15 and June 19 FIFA World Cup Match days.

King County Metro buses, Match Day shuttles, water taxis, Access paratransit, Seattle Streetcars, Waterfront Shuttle and Metro Flex had preliminary estimated boardings of 319,762 on Monday, June 15, and 311,651 on Juneteenth, Friday, June 19. Sound Transit reported 210,000 boardings June 15 and 280,000 boardings on June 19.

Thanks to the many teams and transit and rail operators who delivered the service, and the riders who made us a part of their summer memories.

This has been one of the most exciting summers in memory—and we’re only halfway through it. Still plenty of great days ahead, and Metro is ready to help you create new memories by getting you where you need to go. Visit Metro’s SEA26 Soccer web page for more information about additional bus service, free shuttles in downtown Seattle and other transit options.

A record number of riders decided to ‘Make it a Boat Day’ on June 19

Between World Cup soccer, Mariners baseball and the Juneteenth holiday, a record 9,483 riders boarded the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis on Friday, June 19! Of those, 8,552 boardings were on the West Seattle route, shattering a single-day ridership record of 7,721 that stood since 2018!

The Vashon route had 931 boardings, second most and beating the 2014 Seahawks Super Bowl Victory parade by 3 boardings (928). The No. 1 single-day record for Vashon boardings was 994, set just a few months ago during the Seahawks Super Bowl victory parade.

This summer, the water taxi is inviting everyone to “Make it a Boat Day” and people are accepting the offer to make the short 10-15 minute ride to and from West Seattle or a 22-minute trip to Vashon.

By the numbers

June 15 (319,762 preliminary estimated boardings)

  • King County Metro buses 300,561
    • Including Match Day Shuttle 3,452
  • King County Water Taxi 4,232
    • West Seattle served 3,464
    • Vashon Island 768
  • DART bus service 3,527
  • Waterfront Shuttle 1,302
  • Metro Flex 1,279
  • Access paratransit 2,967
  • Seattle Streetcar 5,894
    • First Hill 4,570
    • South Lake Union 1,324

June 19 (311,651 preliminary estimated boardings)

  • King County Metro buses 286,606
    • Including Match Day Shuttle 4,960
  • King County Water Taxi 9,483 total boardings
    • West Seattle served 8,552
    • Vashon Island 931
  • DART bus service 4,051
  • Waterfront Shuttle 1,565
  • Metro Flex 977
  • Access paratransit 2,252
  • Seattle Streetcar 6,717
    • First Hill 5,234
    • South Lake Union 1,483

Leave a Reply