The return of the Elliott Bay Water Taxi for another summer season will be celebrated with a kick-off event on Sunday, April 27 from noon to 2 p.m.

Refreshments, live music, and family activities will be featured at the event at West Seattle?s Seacrest Dock. The musical group Once, featuring singer/songwriter Bronwyn Edwards Cryer, will perform. Water Taxi rides will be free all day and riders will receive free Water Taxi posters.

?The Water Taxi has proven itself as a vital link between West Seattle and the downtown waterfront for commuters and visitors alike,? said Metropolitan King County Councilmember Dow Constantine, who will host the kickoff event. ?The Water Taxi will soon expand to year-round service as the newly-formed King County Ferry District assumes operation of this successful foot ferry route.?

Also returning is the free shuttle van service (operating as Metro route 773) which provides a direct connection to the Admiral District, the West Seattle Junction, Alki and Harbor Avenue. It will be operated between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and between 8:30 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. on weekends.

Argosy Cruises will operate the Water Taxi service using the 250-passenger MV Sightseer. Boats will depart about every 40 minutes during commute hours and hourly during the middle of the day. Evening service will be offered on Friday and Saturday nights with the last boats leaving Pier 55 at 10:30 p.m. and Seacrest Dock at 11 p.m. Evening service will also be offered for every Seattle Mariners home game, giving baseball fans a relaxing alternative to game-day gridlock.

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

For more information on the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, call (206) 553-3000 (TTY 206-684-1739) or go to www.kingcounty.gov/metro. Once service begins, riders can check on the current operating status of the Water Taxi by calling (206) 205-3866.