SEATTLE – More people have jumped aboard Washington State Ferries this summer than any other in the past 12 years.

So far, this summer, an additional 150,000 passengers – enough to fill Safeco Field nearly three times over – took a ferry between mid-June and late August compared to summer 2014. The 2.4 percent average system-wide increase is expected to spike this Labor Day weekend with an estimated 94,000 travelers per day squeezing in some last minute summertime fun.

The season’s spectacular weather and improved economy are likely factors as to why so many people enjoyed getting out on the water this year.

“Ferries are a special part of life here in the Northwest and we encourage you to enjoy part of the holiday weekend aboard one of your vessels,” said Lynne Griffith, assistant secretary for WSF.

WSF has carried 6.4 million people so far this summer – an average of 84,000 passengers per day.

WSF’s busiest route is Seattle-Bainbridge Island. More than 1.6 million passengers traveled this route between mid-June and the end of August.

The Edmonds-Kingston and Mukilteo-Clinton routes both had more than 1 million passengers travel this summer.