the 250-passenger Bay Breeze ferry from San Francisco was approved by the PSTA board in December | psta

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is preparing to take a major step toward bringing ferry service back to Tampa Bay, with its board set to vote Wednesday on a plan to purchase two vessels and launch the new Tampa Bay Ferry later this year.

At a press event Monday morning at Tampa Convention Center, officials from PSTA, alongside leaders from Tampa and St. Petersburg and ferry operator Hubbard’s Marina, outlined how the service could operate with two boats running seven days a week.

Since selecting Madeira Beach-based Hubbard’s Marina as the new operator for the ferry service late last year, PSTA and Hubbard’s Marina have collaboratively spearheaded a nationwide search for potential vessels.

“We’re committed to creating this service the right way, so it’s sustainable for the long term,” said PSTA CEO Brad Miller.

The vessel purchase will be funded by a $4.8 million federal grant, originally awarded in 2021, to purchase and renovate up to two vessels.

The Hubbards and officials from tampa and st. pete pose in front of the various vessel options during the press event | city of tampa

If approved, the total cost would not exceed the grant funding, and PSTA’s CEO would be authorized to move forward with negotiations and acquisition.

The plan builds on the former Cross Bay Ferry, which operated seasonally since 2016 with a single leased vessel. That setup limited service to select days and made year-round operations difficult.

With two boats, officials say the goal is to offer daily service, while initially focusing on weekend demand and gradually building commuter ridership.

PSTA and Hubbard’s Marina conducted a nationwide search for vessels, identifying three options.

The purchase of the 250-passenger Bay Breeze from San Francisco was approved by the board in December for up to $2.5 million.

A second preferred option is the San Juan Clipper, a 149-passenger vessel currently operating as a whale-watching boat in Seattle, with an estimated purchase and renovation cost of $2 million.

A third option, the Candy Stripe from Louisiana, would cost about $2.3 million but require a longer refurbishment timeline, making it a backup choice.

A side-by-side comparison of the two vessels PSTA is considering for purchase | PSTA

“We look around the country at places like San Francisco, Boston, and San Diego,” said owner of Hubbard’s Marina Mark Hubbard. “They all have very intricate waterborne transportation systems. Why doesn’t Tampa Bay?”

Hubbard, whose family has operated on the water in the region for generations, said the partnership with PSTA has helped clear long-standing barriers to expanding ferry service locally.

He and his daughter, Tara Hubbard, said their family has long advocated for more reliable and frequent water transit options throughout Tampa Bay.

The previous Cross Bay Ferry relied on a seasonally leased vessel brought in from out of state, while the new plan would, for the first time, establish a locally based, full-time fleet.

If the PSTA board approves the purchase, the process will still require inspections, negotiations, renovations, and transporting the vessels to Tampa Bay.

Officials said refurbishment timelines for the preferred vessels are estimated at three to six months, while the backup option could take more than a year.

The ferry route between downtown tampa and downtown st. petersburg | psta

Renovations may include updated interiors, mechanical work, and onboard amenities such as a bar serving snacks and alcoholic beverages.

Once completed, officials said they are targeting a launch by the end of the year.

In Tampa, the ferry would operate from the east end of the Tampa Convention Center near the Harbour Island bridge, a site previously used by the Cross Bay Ferry.

In St. Pete, the ferry will dock in the Vinoy Yacht Basin on the downtown waterfront.

Eventually, St. Pete plans to build a permanent ferry dock near the St. Petersburg Museum of History on the St. Pete Pier. Early engineering estimates place the cost between $2.64 million and just over $3 million.

PSTA is targeting a $10 one-way fare, which would be lower than the Cross Bay Ferry’s pricing in its final season, which cost $12 per one-way ride.

Officials said discounts are also planned for seniors and riders with disabilities.

“This changes everything,” said Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak, pointing to the shift to daily service and its potential for both visitors and residents.

The proposed permanent ferry dock would be built near the St. Petersburg Museum of History on the St. Pete Pier | Google Maps

At the Tampa Convention Center, officials also highlighted the potential impact on tourism and events.

“The Convention Center brings in over 300,000 attendees a year,” said David Ingram, executive director of the TCC. “This allows them to explore the entire Tampa Bay region.”

The operating schedule for the Tampa Bay Ferry service will be finalized at a later time.

While the vote this week focuses on vessel acquisition, officials described the ferry as an early step in a broader effort to expand regional transit options.

“The ferry service will most definitely strengthen the connection between the city of St. Petersburg, Tampa, and the broader Tampa Bay region,” said PSTA Board Chair and St. Petersburg City Council Member Deborah Figg-Sanders. “It will also make it so much easier for our constituents and our visitors to move around Tampa Bay.”

For now, the immediate focus is securing the boats, completing the docks, and preparing the service for launch.