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Mosqueda, Metro Announce Expanded Service for Vashon Strawberry Festival

July 15, 2026

King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda and King County Metro are announcing expanded service for this weekend's Vashon Island Strawberry Festival, including a new shuttle connecting Water Taxi and Washington State Ferry passengers directly to the festival grounds on Saturday and Sunday. The additional service is designed to make it easier for residents and visitors to travel to one of Vashon's signature summer events using public transit.

“The King County Water Taxi will operate between Pier 50 in downtown Seattle and the Vashon Ferry Terminal throughout the festival on its regular Friday and weekend schedule. Metro Routes 118 and 119 also will continue to provide regular service, while the new festival shuttle will meet arriving Water Taxi sailings and transport riders directly to the festival.

"As a direct request from Vashon Islanders and District 8 residents who attended Strawberry Festival last year, we urged King County this year to provide Metro direct shuttles to Strawberry Fest from the Washington State Ferry and King County Water Taxi," said King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who represents Vashon on the King County Council. "Thanks to King County Metro for making these direct shuttles possible this year. This will allow more families to enjoy the festival from off-island without having to rely on a car. From the Super Bowl celebration to World Cup activities, Metro buses and the Water Taxi have shown they can help people get around the county, leave their car at home, and provide reliable, timely service. Now they bring that added capacity to the Strawberry Festival so fewer people have to crowd onto the regular buses."

The first shuttle bus from the ferry terminal to the festival will depart at approximately 9:20 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Beginning at 10 a.m., shuttles will run every 10 to 15 minutes between the ferry terminal and the festival until approximately 5 p.m. A temporary shuttle stop for return trips will be located on Southwest 171st Street near Ober Park. Visitors traveling to Vashon who are not attending the festival may continue using Metro Route 118 on its regular weekend schedule.

"The Vashon Strawberry Festival is one of the highlights of the summer, and this year there's even more reason to leave the car at home and head to all the fun. Ride the Water Taxi to Vashon and then ride the shuttle to the event," said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. "Metro has worked to ensure there will be regular, consistent service from the ferry terminal to the festival throughout the weekend. Thank you to Metro for turning the Strawberry Festival into a true regional celebration by making it easy to get to the event."

“Expanding service on the water taxi has increased accessibility to the Strawberry Festival. It is now a regional celebration that you can attend while leaving your car at home,” said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “The bus shuttles ensure those riding the water taxi will have a short wait for a ride to the event then be able to easily get back to the ferry terminal after their day of fun!”

Adult Water Taxi fares to Vashon start at $7 ($6 with an ORCA card). Festival shuttle fares are $3 for adults, and riders may pay using an ORCA card or Tap to Pay. Riders ages 18 and younger travel free on both the Water Taxi and the festival shuttle.

Water taxi and bus shuttles schedule