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City receives draft ferry‑study findings: pilot drew leisure riders and fares covered a fraction of operating costs
Summary
A draft analysis of a 2022 ferry pilot showed about 15,000 riders (93% leisure), limited commuter demand to downtown Seattle, and operating costs roughly ten times fare revenue; consultants will finalize the report with a transportation expert and deliver a final report in June 2026.
Des Moines staff and consultant Dan Ernesti updated the City Council on April 9 on economic‑development work and preliminary findings from a 2022 ferry pilot study funded under a Commerce grant.
Ernesti said the 2022 pilot had approximately 15,000 riders and that the vast majority—about 93%—took the ferry for leisure rather than commuting. A market analysis showed limited commuter demand to the Seattle waterfront but noted non‑work trip opportunities to regional destinations such as South Center, Kent Valley, and SeaTac. Preliminary financial analysis indicated operational costs exceeded fare revenue by about tenfold during the pilot.
The project team has completed 19 stakeholder interviews, is launching an online survey, and has funding for focus groups; an economic‑impact analysis by Burke (and case studies of other marinas) is included in the scope. Ernesti said the final report is expected in June 2026 and that a transportation expert will present findings to the council in a subsequent meeting. Councilmembers voiced differing views on whether a ferry should be pursued as a commuter transit option (which would require regional partners such as King County Metro) or as a seasonal/tourism amenity.
Staff framed the ferry work as part of a broader strategy to build downtown economic vitality, produce a business database for outreach, and pursue targeted grants (Port of Seattle, Commerce) to support downtown placemaking and business recruitment.
