With a less than a month left in the 2008 sailing season the Elliott Bay Water Taxi continues to attract new passengers and break records.

The 2008 Water Taxi season runs through Friday, Oct. 31.

A total of 167,748 riders used the West Seattle-to-downtown foot ferry through the end of September, exceeding last year's record of 161,331 riders. September ridership was up 9.7 percent over last September's totals.

"The Water Taxi has routinely exceeded its 2007 ridership totals all summer," said King County Councilmember Dow Constantine. "This puts another record year on the books as we look forward to year-round Water Taxi operation in 2010."

The King County Ferry District took over Water Taxi funding earlier this year. This countywide special district also funds the operation of the Vashon Island-to-downtown passenger-only ferry and is expected to add up to five demonstration routes serving other Puget Sound and Lake Washington communities in the next few years.

The fare for the Elliott Bay Water Taxi fare is $3 for anyone over the age of 5. Passengers with a valid Metro transfer pay just $1. Also accepted for full fare are PugetPasses, FlexPasses, Metro Access Passes, Visitor Passes, Vanpool Passes, Saturday/Sunday Day Passes, and Regional Reduced Fare Permits with a valid monthly or annual sticker.

For more information on the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, call 553-3000 (TTY 684-1739). Riders can check on the current operating status of the Water Taxi by calling 205-3866.