HomeNewsTampa Bay Ferry Returns with Daily Service
Tampa-St. Petersburg ferry to resume fall 2026 with daily service and $10 fares
2026-04-28, Moovit News Team
Tampa Bay Ferry Returns with Daily Service
Commuters traveling between Tampa and St. Petersburg will soon have a faster water transit option. The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority announced April 27 it’ll operate upgraded ferry service with two boats instead of one, enabling daily trips seven days a week. The service could return as early as fall 2026, officials said, with one-way fares set at $10—cheaper than the previous Cross Bay Ferry’s $12-$14 rates.
Background
The previous Cross Bay Ferry service ended in April 2025 after operator HMS Ferries attempted to replace the vessel with a slower boat that would’ve doubled crossing times. Both Tampa and St. Petersburg approved an interlocal agreement in November 2025, with each city contributing up to $350,000 annually to support the revived service. PSTA’s ferry operator, Hubbard’s Marina, conducted a nationwide search and identified three potential boats in Seattle, San Francisco, and western Louisiana before selecting the San Juan Clipper.
Key Details
PSTA plans to purchase the San Juan Clipper for $2 million, with renovations expected to take three to six months after purchase. The total budget for the service is nearly $5 million, covering the renovation of both vessels. PSTA is using part of a $4.8 million federal grant to purchase the boats, making the new plan more financially stable than its predecessor. The ferry will dock at the Tampa Convention Center, providing convenient access to downtown Tampa.
Timeline
Officials announced the updated developments at an April 27, 2026, meeting between Tampa and St. Petersburg representatives. Renovations on the purchased vessels are expected to take three to six months, positioning the service to return as early as fall 2026. The interlocal agreement approved in November 2025 provides the financial framework for ongoing operations once service begins.
Rider Impact
The daily seven-day schedule represents a major upgrade from the previous service’s limited operations, officials said, with the goal of creating reliable commuter routes between the two cities. The $10 fare makes cross-bay travel more affordable than the previous operator’s pricing. Riders can track ferry schedules and plan trips using Moovit, which provides real-time transit information for the Tampa Bay area.