Can the Tampa Bay Ferry Live After its Trial is Over?

Aug 19, 2016 • Ennis Davis

Article by Wiatt Bowers, AICP Cover Image: Ennis Davis, AICP

The startup costs for the pilot project are estimated to be $1.4 million and the governments of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Tampa, and Hillsborough County would share the cost. The other three local governments gave the City of St. Petersburg authority to negotiate the terms with HMS Ferries, while reserving the right to decline the partnership if the terms weren’t to their liking. In early August, the Tampa City Council, Hillsborough County Commission, and Pinellas County Commission all approved the agreement negotiated by the City of St. Petersburg.

The agreement with HMS Ferries requires that a minimum of two trips a day each way be offered between Tampa and St. Petersburg, with at least three each on Fridays. A one-way trip is expected to cost $10 per passenger, and revenues will be split between HMS and the four local governments. Service is expected to begin on November 1st, using a 98-foot vessel that can carry 150 passengers. Travel time is expected to be about 45 minutes, which while longer than driving in free-flow conditions, is significantly better than many of the rush hours in Tampa Bay.

The proposed service requires approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers, and there are out clauses for the local governments if those permits aren’t secured by HMS by September 15th. Assuming the ferry service starts this fall, the City of St. Petersburg is exploring the potential for weekly and monthly passes, as well as service for special events including Gasparilla, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, festivals at Vinoy Park, and the 2017 College Football Playoff national Championship Game.

While elected leaders in Tampa Bay approved the trial run, some are skeptical regarding long-term viability of the service, and additional local funding after the six-month trial ends may be hard to come by. If the trial is successful, proponents would likely seek state funds through the Florida legislature to continue and expand the service, possibly servicing Manatee County once again. But will the pilot project be successful, and if it is, what is the likelihood of securing long-term state funding?

At least 35 states, including Florida, currently have passenger ferry service. Systems in Alaska, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas each carried more than 5 million passengers in 2014. California’s ferries had over 10 million passengers that year, Texas carried over 13 million, and Washington state carried nearly 26 million. In comparison, ferries in Florida carried less than 1 million in 2014.

Looking at things a different way, the Florida ferries (the Mayport Ferry and a little known one in the Florida Keys) combined travel about 6 nautical miles. In comparison, the Washington state system covers 2,400 miles and Alaska’s system stretches for more than 13,000 miles.

It is worth noting that many of these systems are supported and/or operated by state departments of transportation. But just a few years ago, FDOT relinquished control of the Mayport Ferry and significantly reduced its funding. The wave of frustration with traffic congestion in Tampa Bay is growing every year. But with these headwinds, can the proposed Tampa Bay ferry live on after its six month trial is over?

Sources

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