Cross-Bay Ferry Launches 6th Season Of Service From Tampa To St. Pete

TAMPA, FL — It's full steam ahead for the Cross-Bay Ferry, which begins its sixth season of operations across Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

The service, which provides a scenic and congestion-free transportation option between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg, returns following its most successful season since the service began with a record-breaking 62,130 riders from October 2021 to May 2022, and 10,000 more people than its previous record.

Regional Cooperation

The Cross-Bay Ferry is an innovative collaboration between Hillsborough County, the city of Tampa, the city of St. Petersburg and the Florida Department of Transportation, which are developing the ferry into a long-term local transportation alternative to relieve roadway congestion, boost commerce to businesses and provide a fast and affordable way to travel across Tampa Bay. Hillsborough County is currently the lead governmental sponsor.

“Thanks to a productive partnership between the local governments and the Florida Department of Transportation, the Cross-Bay Ferry is returning this month and is well-positioned for another successful season as we continue to build upon the system’s early success,” said Matt Miller, president of HMS Ferries. “The Cross-Bay Ferry offers a uniquely accessible and affordable transportation option between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Pete, providing local residents and visitors with a commuting option that includes incredible views of the bay and surrounding skylines.”

See related stories:

• Pinellas Commission Ends Ferry Agreement; Cross Bay Ferry In Jeopardy
• Tampa-St. Petersburg Cross-Bay Ferry Finishes Record-Breaking Season
• Cross Bay Ferry Agreement With St. Pete Approved By County Commission
• Tampa-St. Petersburg Cross-Bay Ferry Finishes Record-Breaking Season
• Cross-Bay Ferry Service Extended For At Least 4 More Years

“I am thrilled to see the Cross-Bay Ferry return for its sixth and what I am sure will be another successful season,” said Kimberly Overman, Hillsborough County Commission chairwoman. “We need every tool available to help solve the transportation needs of Tampa Bay.”

The first Cross-Bay Ferry ride of the season will depart from Tampa at 3 p.m. with Overman, Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp and Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority on hand for the premiere trip.

The ferry will arrive at the dock at North Straub Park near the Vinoy Marina in St. Petersburg at 3:50 p.m. and then begin the return trip to Tampa at 4:45 p.m.

Plans For MacDill Commuter Service

In the meantime, the Hillsborough County Commission has hired Kimley-Horn Planning and Design Engineering Consultants of Tampa to continue the next phase of the Cross-Bay Ferry: a commuter route between Apollo Beach and McDill Air Force Base.

Dawn Dodge of Kimley-Horn, who is leading the ferry project, said the consultants are successfully working with both MacDill Air Force Base and the Mosaic Co. on the project. The phosphate giant is donating property just north of Tampa Electric Co.'s Big Bend Power Plant in Apollo Beach for the commuter ferry terminal.

"The project is on schedule and budget, and we’re moving quicker than anticipated," Dodge told commissioners.

In the spring, the commission approved an additional $252,062 from the county's reserves for preliminary design and engineering work for the MacDill ferry, bringing the county's total investment to $1.25 million.

Kemp noted that more than 1,100 South County residents who work at the Air Force base responded to a survey about the desire to commute to MacDill by ferry.

Of those, 94 percent said they currently commute by car; 85 percent say the commute takes them more than 40 minutes each way.

About 90 percent of those surveyed said they would use the commuter ferry if it were available.

The property for the ferry terminal donated by Mosaic will accommodate a 5,000-square-foot terminal building and include parking for commuters and a 3,500-square-foot covered patio.

County Commissioner Harry Cohen also suggested that the terminal offer food amenities for those waiting for the ferry to arrive.

"My sense is this is going to be a very popular destination for people to gather," he said.

The south county terminal is anticipated to be completed in April 2025 and the terminal at MacDill Air Force Base in June 2025.

To accommodate the MacDill commuters, Miller has commissioned another 350-passenger ferry with the aid of a $4.9 million federal transportation grant championed by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa. The new ferry is expected to be delivered in March 2024.

Commissioners are also pursuing grants through the Department of Defense, the Federal Highway Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration to offset the cost of the expanded ferry service, although Hillsborough Assistant County Administrator Tom Fass said some of these grants require matching funds from the county, an expense that's currently not in the county's capital budget.

"I’m thrilled and I know South County is excited to see this move ahead," Kemp said. "It will be really transformative."

Cohen also hailed the approval of the additional ferry service as a step forward in meeting the county's increasing transportation needs as well as alleviating two problems that have plagued the county.

MacDill Air Force base is the second largest employer in Hillsborough County, and the base simply doesn't have housing for all of the military members stationed there, Cohen said, noting there are currently 500 families on a waiting list for housing at MacDill.

Because it's difficult for young military families to find affordable housing in the increasingly pricey South Tampa area around the Air Force base, military families are moving to South County where homes are more plentiful and less expensive, albeit decidedly farther away from the Air Force base.

At the same time, the residents of the South of Gandy neighborhoods in South Tampa around MacDill have long complained about the traffic MacDill generates, especially during the morning commute when cars stack up outside the base onto major roads as base employees wait at the checkpoint to enter the facility.

Cohen said the ferry will mean fewer cars waiting to get on the base.

"I know the people on the peninsula are excited to get relief from the traffic congestion," he said. "Tampa Bay has the highest percentage of veterans in the U.S. This is a smart way of investing in our infrastructure."

Not all commissioners, however, were as enthusiastic about the commuter ferry service.

Commissioners Ken Hagan and Stacey White voted against the contract with Kimley-Horn.

While Hagan said he supports the intercity ferry service for tourists and residents who want to attend a hockey game or festival on the other side of the bay, he said the ferry will never succeed as a transportation alternative for commuters.

"I firmly believe the commuter ferry It is not a public transit project," Hagan said.“It will be a financial boondoggle that will remove very few vehicles from the road."

2022-23 Schedule

This year the ferry will again offer an extended season with an additional month of service and an expanded daily schedule that includes later evening runs.

Service will begin on Oct. 19 at 4:45 p.m. and continue until May 2023. Later evening departures will also be available, with final departure times from Tampa as late as 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Cross-Bay Ferry will operate from the same terminal locations as in previous seasons. In Tampa, the ferry will depart from the dock at the Tampa Convention Center, and in St. Petersburg, from the dock at North Straub Park, near the Vinoy Marina.

First departures from St. Petersburg will start at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. on Sundays.

Final departures from Tampa will be at 10:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 7:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Current And Future Vessels

The ferry vessel, named Provincetown III, is a twin-hull aluminum catamaran that can carry a maximum of 149 guests at an average speed of 30 mph. The vessel has a full-service bar with basic food service.

Passengers may bring up to two pieces of luggage and one small personal item at no extra charge, and they may also bring bikes on board.

Customer surveys will also be taken regularly to improve service and gain better insight into how future permanent service can be structured.

In February, the Federal Transit Administration awarded Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) a $4.9 million grant to buy a new 350-passenger vessel that HART requested last October.

This will further establish the Cross-Bay Ferry as a mainstay transit option to reduce congestion, create local jobs, support small businesses and increase connectivity across the Tampa Bay area.

“The entire Tampa region has embraced ferry transportation, leading to increased season-by-season ridership and a demand for expanded, permanent service,” said Miller. “That demand for increased service and the recent grant for the purchase of an additional vessel will together set the stage for an exciting new era of ferry transportation that builds upon Tampa Bay’s special maritime history and embraces the area’s vibrant waterfronts.”

Support From Partners

"As our region continues to grow, congestion on our bridges and highways grows with it,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “The Tampa Bay region's waterways are an underutilized resource for moving people from one city to another without sitting in traffic. Like the streetcar, the Cross-Bay Ferry shows that there is a local demand for transportation choices that is not only good for traveler, but great for our economy."

“We look forward to welcoming back the Cross-Bay Ferry for another great season,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch. “Connecting Tampa Bay’s beautiful cities by water provides a one-of-a-kind way to view our pristine bay, all while offering convenient destinations. Whether you’re heading to a Rays game, watching the puck drop at a Lightning game or visiting cultural institutions like the Dalí and Florida Aquarium, there’s something for everyone to experience.”

“Each year, I wait with anticipation for the Cross-Bay Ferry to return to Tampa Bay and begin its acclaimed seasonal service,” said Kemp, who also chairs the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. “I again look forward to this year's successful return and to the time in the near future when we establish full-time, year-round service with our own ferry right here in Tampa Bay.”

“The Tampa Bay Chamber has always been a big supporter of the Cross-Bay Ferry, because we understand that increased public transportation options of any sort will only help to make our economy and business community stronger,” said Dr. Bob Rohrlack, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Chamber. “Tampa and St. Petersburg are both thriving cities, and the ability to connect them for the good of both local economies is something that we will continue to stand behind.”

“This ferry represents more to our community than just a single-rider entertainment excursion,” said Chris Steinocher, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. “We see a day on the horizon when Hillsborough residents ride the ferry for their daily commute to work or play in our downtown or seamlessly connect to our SunRunner bus rapid transit to hit our award-winning beaches.”

Pricing

Cross-Bay Ferry adult ticket prices will now be $12 per one-way trip. All other tickets will remain at the same price as the 2021-22 season: $8 one way and $16 for a roundtrip for seniors 65 and older, youth ages 5 to 18, members of the military, active or retired, and college students.

The service remains free for children age 4 and under.

People using a wheelchair will continue to benefit from a discounted rate of $5 one way and $10 roundtrip.

Residents and visitors can view the full schedule and purchase tickets online or visit the dockside ticket booths in Tampa or St. Petersburg.

For schedules and more information on the Cross-Bay Ferry, click here.