We view this as an opportunity for the region.". Cross-Bay Ferry Service Extended For At Least 4 More Years Great way to visit either city from the other without the hassle of driving and parking. here to go to the Cross Bay Ferry website. We are unable to refund any lost or unused tickets. Basically we just want to make every trip as safe as possible.. It was doing great right up until the coronavirus forced everything to shut down in mid-March. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "I want to be clear what we're buying," Burton said. Theres also a downtown trolley if youre too tired to walk, the Looper. The entire cost for this seasons service is $1.22 million. "In my opinion, this is a collosal waste of money for very minimal ridership. Count me in if I dont have to wear a mask. It would be lovely if additional sailing times could be added in the future. By Photo by Veronica Brezina. Turanchik added that a study by the Florida Department of Transportation concluded that 80 percent of the vehicles using the Howard Frankland Bridge were crossing the bay for leisure, not for commuting. Athletic pedicure. Pinellas County commissioners have voted to move forward with a contract that will keep the Cross Bay Ferry running for the next three years. "However, over the years it became apparent that the ferry is not a prudent investment. Here is an inside tip we received earlier from the person selling tickets. Mosaic Fertilizer would donate a finger of property at its Big Bend site for the ferry to use as the South County terminus. French pedicure. Passengers are allowed to carry aboard two-wheel bicycles, service animals, and, on a case-by-case basis, other kinds of pets. You may also send your requests by mail to our TBARTA offices: 4902 Eisenhower Blvd., Suite 207, Tampa, FL 33634. F.A.Q. - Cross Bay Ferry TIP: if you park in the Sundial garage in St Pete, tell the ferry people and theyll give you a voucher that scans at the parking garage machine for free parking, Cross Bay Ferry (St. Petersburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. The expiration of the current three-year license and operating agreement ended in May, which called for the city of St. Petersburg to issue a new solicitation for continued inter-city ferry service. But whether the wildly successful cruises will ever secure the funding needed to transition from a seasonal pilot to a permanent transportation option remains to be seen. I think citizens understand this. "We would recommend not doing that again until you develop the whole marketplace. Tampa FOX 13 News Deal to make Cross Bay Ferry year-round in the works Dan Matics reports ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Fans of the Cross Bay Ferry between Tampa and St. Petersburg could see the service year-round over the next few years. Contact - Cross Bay Ferry Plans have long been in the works to make the service permanent by 2022, and even expand with a second weekday commuter service between Hillsboroughs south-county suburbs and MacDill Air Force Base. Published: 9:11 AM EDT October 30, 2020. The Cross-Bay Ferry docked at the Tampa Convention Center. It is the first year of a new four-year contract that calls for extending the service annually. But it would be nice to be in St. Pete by 10:00am and be able to spend a full day returning to Tampa around 6:30pm. Chuck, they only asked that you wear a mask while inside the cabin, unless eating or drinking, outside on the ferrys deck no mask is required. Ride across the bay had beautiful views and was about 45 minutes. Schedule: It departs from St. Petersburg on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4:45 p.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. on Sundays. Cross Bay Ferry returns service between St. Pete and Tampa One way to compare forms of transit is by operating cost per boarding. Pinellas strikes deal with St. Pete to keep Cross Bay Ferry running We are very hopeful we will bring home the grant dollars that will allow us to build a vessel that has a capacity of 350 passengers thats like twice the capacity we have today, which will allow us to move more people, Le Grand said. The entire cost for this seasons service is $960,000. Cross Bay Ferry returns in November with limited capacity Privacy Policy | Copyright 2020 The St Petersburg Group. more, #36 of 130 things to do in St. Petersburg, Evening Yacht Cruise with Optional Dining in St. Petersburg, 4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Experience by Ferry, Electric Paddle Board Dolphin Watching Tour of Shell Key Preserve, Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show in St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach Dolphin Racer Speedboat Adventure, Skip the Line: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Ticket, St. Petersburg Jungle Prada Site History Tour, Tiki Boat - St. Pete Pier - The Only Authentic Floating Tiki Bar, St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Adventure, Private Guided Kayak Adventure via Mangrove to Shell key St. Pete, Guided Tampa Tour in a Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart, Amazing Helicopter Tour of Treasure Island, John's Pass, Don CeSar Resort & Bay, Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille - St. Pete Pier, Great transportation option or just a cheap sightseeing cruise across Tampa Bay. How far of a walk is it to amalie arena from where the ferry docks? Thats $120 weekly. Cross Bay Ferry previously offered rides Wednesday through Sunday, with fares running $8 each way. Is COVID booster still working against new variants? If a Lightning game goes into overtime, the ferry will still be running 30 minutes after the match to give fans at Amalie more time to catch the boat, Fisher said. At least the water taxi crew is very polite. It will continue for the next seven months, while also offering later evening departures. We encourage people to purchase in advance because the ferry is very popular and its just very easy. Options are drive car, park and pay for parking plus Ferry Fair or take uber/lyft to destination. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. They leave on time, so make sure you abide by the rules. According to its website, the rates are $10 one-way and $20 for a round trip for adults. The ferry has carried thousands of commuters between the two metros, creating less congestion on the Howard Frankland and Gandy bridges. It's a special event and weekend service used mostly for entertainment. TECO explains, website for the full ferry schedule and ticket information. "We can bring truly environmental vessels to this community as well.". Plans are underway to make it permanent, add more destinations, and start our region's first commuter ferry service. Plenty of places to eat and drink. The ferry will operate Wednesday through Sunday with departure times as late as 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Im a lifelong resident of Pinellas county and have been wanting to try the ferry. 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It is a collaboration among the cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa, the counties of Hillsborough and Pinellas, and the Florida Department of Transportation. The ferry will provide transportation for the next seven months between downtown Ta.m.pa and downtown St. Petersburg. "We are fully supportive of the electrification of ferries," Miller said. "This is an opportunity for a truly regional service," said Miller. Cross Bay Ferry 4.5 60 reviews #36 of 130 things to do in St. Petersburg Ferries Open now 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying By whitneymarie " Great way to explore Tampa " Feb 2022 So nice to be able to ride this ferry over to Tampa for the day or for a lightning game. Im not one of them, but a significant number of people live in downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa. I recommend this for everyone. Cross-Bay Ferry lands $4.9 million U.S. grant - Tampa Bay Times While in service, the ferry travels between the Tampa Convention Center and St. Petes North Straub Park. Thu, Nov 3, 2022 at 11:47 am, 'Make their lives miserable': St. Pete Beach leaders lament unhoused SunRunner Riders, discuss charging fares, Saigon Night Markets Mid-Autumn Festival heads to Pinellas Park next month. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Former councilman sees community value in strip malls, Tampa Bay Innovation Center selects AI startups for cohort, Firm acquires Nickelytics in multi-million-dollar deal. Hillsborough County Commissioner Mariella Smith told Pinellas commissioners she supported the ferry system before becoming a commissioner. Excellent day trip to Tampa from St Petersburg. "We had hoped we'd be at that point now but we will get there soon. Latest numbers suggest Cross Bay Ferry has almost recovered from the pandemic. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. "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," Matt Miller, president of HMS Ferries, said in the release. Cruise Lines such as Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn and Silversea all offer a wealth of, Which crab leg is the best? Since 2016, HMS Ferries, the Florida Department of Transportation, the cities of St. Pete and Tampa, and Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have each contributed $150,000 each season to cover operating costs. Also how far is the Florida Aquarium from Amalie Arena? Cross Bay Ferry (St. Petersburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go So I hope you join us in bringing on this transportation service that will bring people to the very businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic restaurants and shops.". The Sundial Parking Garage at 117 2nd St N is three blocks from the ferry docked at 375 Bayshore Dr. NE between the Vinoy Hotel and the St. Pete Pier. If HMS Ferries moved forward on the site, the infrastructure cost to build out Mosaics South County terminus may need to be funded through Hillsborough County. It is a collaboration among the cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa, the counties of Hillsborough and Pinellas, and the Florida Department of Transportation. What type of vessel is it? The English courts allowed its owner, William Ward, to charge a fee. The Cross Bay Ferry - Expanded Service Plan If you don't want to walk the 3 blocks, the downtown Looper comes by the garage (stop # 17) every 15 minutes and can take you to Straub Park (stop # 20) for free only a few steps away from the ferry. Chloe Greenberg See related story: 10 Things To Know About The New Cross-Bay Ferry Service. Vessel Info Buy Now When can I purchase tickets? Cross Bay Ferry to resume, with year-round service from St. Pete to Tampa Dis answer this question already. The Catalyst honors its name by aggregating & curating the sparks that propel the St Pete engine. We live in the Tampa area so decided to try the ferry. The seasonal Cross-Bay Ferry that connects Tampa and St. Pete will no longer ride a wave of uncertainty, as an agreement has been reached to keep it cruising for several years, and later become a year-round service. Service requires votes from City and County governments in St. Peter, Tampa, Pinellas County and Hillsborough. "We thought we were moving toward a commuter model but what is being proposed is an after 6 p.m. service. Longtime Tampa Bay alternative transportation advocate Ed Turanchik conceded the pilot program's attempt to operate a commuter service was a bust. The Hillsborough Area Transit Authority applied for federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration to keep the Cross Bay Ferry service running. The popular cruises between Tampa and St. Petersburg were meant to become permanent next year, but the future remains unclear. Some DTSP residents even manage without owning a vehicle at all, how nice would that be? The Cross Bay Ferry, which takes passengers to and from Tampa to St. Pete is set to return Thursday and will run until May 22. . Or is it only one way, Hi, the full schedule can be found here: https://www.thecrossbayferry.com/, Your email address will not be published. HART worked with the Hillsborough County staff and the HMS technical staff in the application process. Does it add vitality to downtown St. Petersburg? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Cross Bay Ferry will return next week with extended hours, officials announced. TAMPA BAY, FL With this week's approval by the Pinellas County Commission, Tampa Bay will no longer be the only coastal metropolitan area in the country without a permanent ferry service. Why not have a monthly pass with a reduced fee for daily commmuters, make them the bread and butter customers! Cross Bay Ferry Skip to content NOTICE: Please note that the Cross Bay Ferry has ended it's 2022 - 2023 operating season in Sunday, May 28th 2023. No, it was, Bartow unanimously approves earlier alcohol sales, Trump to turn himself in on Thursday in GA case, Rural Sarasota County residents fight against new, BestReviews.com - Top picks to make everyone happy, Sams Club is selling a giant inflatable Hogwarts, Amazons best back-to-school deals for high schoolers, Amazons best back-to-school deals for middle schoolers, Amazons best back-to-school deals for elementary, Home Depots 12-foot skeleton is back, so Halloween, Publix stops making hurricane cakes in Florida, Just take me to jail man: Drugs seized in traffic, $2.5M in taxpayer money funneled back to Disney:, Clear the Shelters: Help Tampa Bay pets find homes, Love vinyl records? Its pretty much all paid parking unless youre lucky enough to find a spot on the street by the Vinoy Hotel. Why is hibachi so expensive? This seasonal service has been in operation crossing Tampa Bay between downtown St. Pete and Tampa for several years and we needed to check off this adventure on our bucket list. It was awesome! According to Hillsborough County documents, the groups agreed that the county would negotiate an agreement rather than St. Petersburg issuing a new solicitation. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. The service schedule over the next four years, according to Hillsborough County documents: Year One: The service will run from Oct. 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022. The one-way transit time is 55 minutes. If a 9-to-5, M-F commuter uses the SEASONAL service, they could pay, lets say $122=$24 for a roundtrip. If there are changes we can make to our website to make it easier to use, or if you encounter material or services that you cannot access, please contact David Green at David.Green@TBARTA.com, phone 813-282-8200 so we may provide a reasonable alternative way to access or obtain the information you are seeking to obtain through the website. The Return of the Cross-Bay Ferry - St. Petersburg, Florida The service, linking the downtowns of Tampa and St. Petersburg, is coming off its most successful. It'll start operating between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg, starting Thursday, Oct. 21. Waterless pedicure. Can get busy but a nice excursion to Tampa . "They're eager to take the ferry to Pinellas County for shopping, dining and events, not to mention the beaches, which can be reached from the ferry terminal through your bus system. Schedule & Rates - Cross Bay Ferry Cycling & Walking Trails. "This ferry service will be used to take people where they want to go, people who will spend money at local businesses," he said. Our vision is a world-class transit system that connects and moves the Tampa Bay region. In downtown Tampa, the ferry will dock behind the Tampa Convention Center, just west of Franklin Street and the Sail Pavilion restaurant. However, the ferry operators would assume the financial risk and be responsible for vessel maintenance and repairs. We took the ferry for the first time as we are also annual pass holders for the water taxi. Cross Bay Ferry Returns to Tampa Bay on Oct. 21 Why is this year different? If you have questions or comments, TBARTA wants to hear from you. The agreement also states that any ferry ticket revenue exceeding $400,000 will be shared in a 50/50 split between HMS and Hillsborough County, which will then be shared equally among the four participating governments. Still, all passengers will be required to wear masks and follow state and local health guidelines for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. We greatly enjoyed our 50 minute ride there and back, spending just an hour having a quick lunch and walking around a little bit. It's a big deal, a huge opportunity for us.". Easy walk. How long does it take to cross Tampa Bay by boat? Finest Call Premium Bloody Mary Drink Mix., What time of day is best for airboat ride in Florida? This will help with costs, scanning tickets (which takes forever), and actually help congestion. Cross-Bay Ferry. Adult tickets are $10 for a one-way trip and $20 for a roundtrip. The 149-passenger, catamaran ferry will continue to dock at the Vinoy Boat Basin, adjacent to the St. Pete Pier while the Tampa Convention Center will continue to serve as the Tampa terminus. READ: Hop on board: Cross-Bay Ferry connects locals to both sides of the bay. When in season, the Cross-Bay Ferry operates between the Vinoy Basin in . Nevertheless, he countered Burton's contention that the ferry isn't a regional service. The entire cost for this seasons service is $900,000. Once in Tampa, everybody had to disembark while the crew re-sanitized the ferry. Well priced with senior discounts. People should expect to see the same local and state requirements seen in restaurants," Mory said. Hagan was the lone dissenter in a 6-1 vote to approve the four-year interlocal agreement and spend $1 million to continue work to develop a permanent ferry service. Sarasota / Bradenton / Tampa Bay, Storytime LIVE at Kiddie Academy of Bloomingdale, Celebrate National Dog Day In Hyde Park Village, How can a Life Care Plan Rebuttal be beneficial in a Personal Injury Case in Florida, Tropical Storms Franklin, Gert, Tropical Cyclone 9 Dance Around FL. How close are the Gasparilla events from the ferry dock in Tampa? St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, have touted the seasonal service as a viable form of transit since it was launched in 2017. "We ran a commuter service between downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa, and it was terrible ridership," he said. Learn More. "The Cross-Bay Ferry offers a uniquely accessible and affordable transportation option between downtown Tampa and downtown . The ferry will operate for the next seven months, ending May 22, 2022, and eventually will become a year-round operation in October 2024. The staff are helpful and pleasant. Funding from city and county governments and the Florida Department of Transportation is due to run out when the ferrys six-month operating season ends April 30. The countys agreement is contingent on an interlocal agreement funding by each of the four participating governments: Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, with each contributing equally. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Two arrested in USF's first on-campus homicide in nearly 20 years: Authorities, Death investigation underway in Pasco County, neighbors say child involved, Over 200 New College of Florida students move into local hotels due to air quality concerns on-campus dorms, MLB to make decision on Rays Wander Franco amid allegations he had inappropriate relationship with a minor, Suspect stole almost $11k worth of meats and ingredients from Tampa restaurant, police say, Polk deputies searching for missing 3-year-old with autism who wandered away from home, Tropical Storm Harold forms in Gulf of Mexico ahead of Texas landfall, Fugitive in deadly DUI crash agrees to plea deal after being accused of delaying trial, Hillsborough County deputy returns to work after exposure to fentanyl inside jail. The upper aft deck is open air. You had two or three people riding the ferry. Hours are 11-9 Sunday thru Thursday and 11-11 on Friday & Saturday. I have since 2017 attempted to make financial sense of this service that was initially and continues to touted as an alternative to traffic congestion on the Howard Frankland Bridge: The fare pricing will range from $8 to $12 for a one-way ticket. Published Oct. 30, 2020. The point is, many folks can walk to the ferry and do not incur additional transportation and parking fees. The Cross Bay Ferry recorded 53,544 passengers for the 2021-22 season on Sunday, marking its highest number ever. The ship was clean and the crew was great. The Cross Bay Ferry is a regional effort designed to lay the foundation for permanent, year-round ferry service. Is COVID booster still working against new variants? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We know whats best for our cities: Local leaders address housing crisis, Pinellas planning agency undergoes significant expansion, Hillsborough commissioners sink MacDill ferry partnership. The Cross Bay Ferry service returns Sunday for its fourth season, operators HMS Ferries said Thursday. Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter. The Cross-Bay Ferry docked at the Tampa Convention Center. Its future may still be murky, but for at least one season more the regions experimental Cross Bay Ferry will set sail across Tampa Bay, connecting passengers from downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa. The Ferry was cancelled due to fog, understandably but I have not been able to contact anyone. We've taken this ferry with our bicycles and without from St Pete to Tampa. Take the free street car. What about times for return trips from Tampa to St. Pete? Your email address will not be published. It is a collaboration among the cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa, the counties of Hillsborough and Pinellas, and the Florida Department of Transportation. Hours of operation weekdays , from Tampa to St Pete in June 2019 thanks. The money would be better invested improving our roads or expanding real transit opportunities. Theres no service on Mondays and Tuesdays. The crew members were affable and helpful too. A motorcyclist carries his bike off the ferry. The ferry goes between downtown St.Pete (with lots of restaurants) to downtown Tampa's Convention Center. One of the best things about this trip was seeing all the smiles and laughter of fellow passengers. The ferry has two decks with a full service bar that serves wine, beer and mixed drinks. Once in St Pete we visited local craft breweries, had lunch, walked the park and caught the ferry back home again. Your email address will not be published. TAMPA, Fla The Cross-Bay Ferry is back in business. Its much more affordable than renting and equipping your own small, What food is St Augustine known for? Snacks, drinks and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from the ferrys on-board bar. Certainly convenient for those St. Pete Lightning fans who may wish to enjoy an adult beverage and some Bay breeze on the way to a game. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Should it win approval, the county would receive an estimated $280 million a year for transit, bike, pedestrian and road projects. All aboard: Everything you need to know about the Cross-Bay Ferry Tampa Bay's Cross-Bay Ferry is back and running through May 2023 It was a wonderful trip from Tampa to St Pete and back. The view of downtown St. Pete from the ferry. "South Hillsborough County has 250,000 people, almost as many as St. Petersburg, and we have been growing at a phenomenal rate," she said. It also takes advantage of the waterways, which many transit leaders say have been ignored as one solution to Tampa Bays traffic woes. All customers who purchase a ticket for the Cross-Bay Ferry and who park in the Sundial Garage will be given a parking pass, upon request of the ferry staff, which a patron can . This sounds interesting. Limited food service is available on-board as well as coffee, tea, soft drinks, water and other beverages. Copyright 2023 Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority. For taxpayers, each ferry season has cost an estimated $750,000, though supporters say committing to a permanent ferry service would be much less expensive in the long-run as a transportation option. Tampa Bay transit: comparing costs. Review Catalyst posting guidelines here. With a new . On Sundays, there will be 3 departures from each destination starting as early as 11 a.m. Additionally, the ferry will operate for all Tampa Bay Lightning home games and will remain in Tampa until 30 minutes after the conclusion of each Lightning game. It was around 45 mins and very scenic. The Cross-Bay Ferry docked at the Vinoy Basin in St. Pete. Your email address will not be published. Our purpose is to plan, develop, fund, implement, and operate a regional transit system in this area. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Quick Introduction to Naples Average price for a bed: Hostels in Naples cost 11 16 per night for a bed, What is the best Bloody Mary in can? Can i bring my bicycle with me on the ferry? Something to be encouraged! While the cross-bay ferry would benefit the city of St. Petersburg, she wondered if the advantages for Pinellas County at large justified the expenditure. If plastic is not an ideal container for beverages, should we be drinking water out of glass? What is the most long lasting pedicure? By posting a comment, I have read, understand and agree to the Posting Guidelines. The ferry's final departure 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. The four-year interlocal agreement includes a one-year opt-out by June 1. Manage Settings Add daily parking fees and destination ground transportation (Uber, bus, cab, etc), and there is no telling how much one would actually spend in total each week. If you look at an actual land map from South County to MacDill and go across the water, its amazing how much time we would be saving, Castor said. The seasonal Cross-Bay Ferry that connects Tampa and St. Pete will no longer ride a wave of uncertainty, as an agreement has been reached to keep it cruising for several years, and later become a year-round service. Rates for riders: The rates have remained the same as the previous system, but there is a new rate for riders who are in wheelchairs. Best Mild. I work in downtown St.Pete and my wife works on downtown Tampa. Made us definitely want to spend a day or more exploring St. Petersburg next time we visit. Where can tickets be purchased? "That's the vision that's within our grasp and, in this case, you have an operator willing to cover operating and maintenance costs, which is extremely rare. The Cross-Bay Ferry Project's mission is to introduce Tampa Bay area residents and visitors to water
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