KINGSTON — The regulars on Aqua Express are happy with the new service. Their commutes are faster. There are free newspapers and a wide variety of food and beverages for purchase. The crew is trained and operations are running smoothly.

The only thing lacking right now is the ridership.

“We’re not where we want to be,” general manager Brian Grantham said this week.

Since the Kingston-to-Seattle fast ferry service started Jan. 18, the boat is only carrying approximately 400 riders a day; the boat can hold a maximum of 1,000. While it’s still difficult to say what the true ridership is because of the current free ride coupons and half-price promotions, Grantham said he would like to double the current ridership to 800.

But just because the numbers aren’t where they need to be doesn’t mean Grantham and his crew are giving up.

“We’re not going anywhere,” he said. “We want to know what we can do.”

He often hears inquiries about what type of transportation is available on the Seattle side. Grantham said he doesn’t understand the confusion because the Aqua Express dock is just two blocks down the street from the Washington State Ferries dock, so people can still utilize the same transportation in the city.

Potential riders also don’t seem to understand whether their employer would subsidize the ferry costs or not, Grantham said. While some companies only do it for public transit and Aqua Express is a private venture, the foot ferry will accept commuter bonus vouchers — but employers are pointing out that AE is not public, Grantham said. Even so, Aqua Express has a joint development agreement with the public agency Kitsap Transit, so it can accept public transit vouchers.

As far doing community outreach to solve some of these issues, Grantham said he is working with Kitsap Transit to figure out what they can do to make Aqua Express more viable for people.

“The question is why aren’t people coming on and what do we need to do to allow them to utlize the boat?” he said.

The two agencies are also trying to create an improved commuter connection between Poulsbo and Kingston so those who come from Silverdale and Jefferson and Clallam counties can utilize Aqua Express. He also thinks foot ferry’s morning routes may be getting into Seattle a few minutes too late, therefore, riders are missing their connecting buses and trains.

So, he said, the crew is going to work on it.

“We’re going to keep doing our due diligence to understand the model for the commuter and do what we can to accommodate … the highest percentage of people that want to take our boat,” he said.

But one thing the public has been asking for since service began is weekend trips and Grantham is going to make good on that suggestion next month.

On Saturday, April 9, the foot ferry will make two roundtrips between Kingston and Seattle. The boat will leave Kingston at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and depart Seattle at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets must be pre-purchased by April 4. Businesses selling tickets are The Coffee Exchange, Kingston Lumber, at the Aqua Express ticket booth and onboard, Kingston Chamber of Commerce office and the Kingston offices of American Marine Bank, Coldwell Banker/Swanson Realty and John L. Scott. Cost is $10.50 roundtrip.

“It’s more of having an opportunity to come into Seattle via Kingston for shopping, lunch, dinner,” Grantham said. “By having two departures, we’re showing we’re really testing the waters here. It’s not just getting you to the Mariners game.”

For more information, go to www.aqua-exrpress.com.