King County’s water taxis faced low fare cost recovery in 2023; two routes connect Vashon Island and West Seattle to downtown Seattle

American passenger-only ferries play a crucial role in alleviating traffic congestion and offering a unique commuting option in urban areas. Despite their popularity, many ferry services, like NYC Ferry, face significant financial hurdles, requiring substantial subsidies to stay afloat. This raises ongoing discussions about the balance between providing essential transport alternatives for the public and the sustainability of municipal funding in the face of high operational expenses.