PSTA plans to purchase 2 ferries with $4.8 million federal grant for Tampa Bay Ferry service

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Board of Directors unanimously approved purchasing and renovating two vessels using a $4.8M federal grant.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay is getting closer to having its new ferry service, as a plan to get boats was approved.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) announced Wednesday that the Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan to purchase and renovate two ferries using a federal grant of $4.8 million. PSTA added that no launch date has been confirmed.

PSTA said that currently, the Cross-Bay Ferry is operated with only one boat, which prevents it from running every day of the week.

With the plan approved, PSTA will choose two ferries to purchase from three options after PSTA’s ferry operator, Hubbard’s Marina, found boats in Seattle, San Francisco, and western Louisiana.

After purchasing two of the three options, PSTA and its operator will still need to inspect, negotiate and buy the boats. Authorities will also need to renovate the boats, which could require new interiors, engine replacements or other updates, depending on which ferries are selected. In addition, the ferries will need to be transported to Tampa Bay.

The options being considered for purchase are the following:

Bay Breeze, from San Francisco, Cali., has a total purchase and renovation cost of $2.5 million. PSTA says they expect it would take 3-6 months to renovate after purchase.

San Juan Clipper, from Seattle, Wash., has a cost of $2 million, including purchase and renovation. PSTA says that after purchase, it needs 3-6 months for renovation.

Candy Stripe, from Morgan City, La. has a total cost for purchase and renovation of $2.3 million. The expected time needed for renovation after purchase is between 12 and 18 months.

“I’m proud of our continued commitment to expanding regional mobility and investing in innovative transportation options that serve our communities,” PSTA Chair and St. Pete Council Member Deborah Figgs-Sanders said. “For residents of St. Petersburg, this creates a reliable, stress-free alternative to sitting in traffic, offering a more enjoyable and predictable way to travel.” 

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

PSTA says it is aiming for a one-way ticket to cost $10 with the new service. The ferries would include a bar on board with snacks, kid-friendly drinks and adult beverages.

The service is expected to launch once the ferries are purchased, renovated, tested and delivered to Tampa Bay, PSTA added.