“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.