PSTA receives $16.5M in federal funding for new Tampa Bay ferry service
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy visited Tampa on Monday, including the Port Tampa Bay, where he announced $16.5 million in federal grant funding for a new Tampa Bay ferry service.
Duffy said the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will use the funding to build a new ferry capable of carrying 249 passengers.
PSTA acquires 2 boats for new Tampa Bay Ferry service
“It’s a huge win for commuters and local tourism alike,” Duffy said. “They’re going to receive $16.5 million to build a new 249 passenger ferry vessel. This new service will connect two of Tampa’s largest economic hubs in the Tampa Bay area, from downtown St. Petersburg to downtown Tampa.”
For Tampa resident Christian Bonnier, the announcement brings back memories of the Cross Bay Ferry, which he used when the service was operating.
“I went on it twice and then they announced they were shutting it down out of nowhere, which to me it was devastating because I had just found out about it,” Bonnier said.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted to end the Cross Bay Ferry service in April 2025. Commissioners said the company had proposed providing a smaller vessel.
“I believe that they were moving the vessel up north for use in another market during the summer and this was all they could come up with was a smaller vessel that wouldn’t make the trip as quickly, and obviously that was unacceptable to us,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen.
Duffy also announced more than $1 million in funding for Tampa’s Gulf Marine Repair Corp. The money will fund new equipment, the expansion of its welder program, and more.
Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson said there is an overarching connection between the shipyard funding and grant funding for a new ferry.
“It also puts money in the shipyards. That ship will have to be, under U.S. law, to be built in a U.S. shipyard. So it’s exciting news for both the transportation alternative as well as creating jobs in America shipyards,” Anderson said.
PSTA officials said the two vessels the agency acquired earlier this summer are in addition to the newly announced ferry.
Officials announced Bay Breeze has arrived in Tarpon Springs and will be undergoing refurbishment for passenger service locally by Tarpon Marine Service.
“Having the Bay Breeze arrive here in Pinellas County is a major milestone and brings us one step closer to launching a reliable, sustainable, and long-term ferry service across the bay,” said Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA in a press release. “Both the Bay Breeze and Bay Clipper are excellent vessels, and now we can get to work on the Bay Breeze by making it service-ready and doing the same once the Bay Clipper arrives.”
PSTA said Bay Clipper will arrive in Pinellas County in the coming weeks and will undergo refurbishment at the same facility.
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