PSTA Moves Toward $5M Grant to Buy High-Speed Ferries for Tampa Bay Service

It's not set in stone yet, but we may be getting a new and faster way to travel from St. Pete to Tampa. The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) would use a $4.86 million federal grant to add two high-speed boats to its fleet. A private business will run trips between St. Petersburg and Tampa.

The cash would come from a 2021 grant that was set to lapse. On May 8 2025, the PSTA’s Executive Committee (a subset of its full Board) recommended the plan be approved. But there are still some more steps to take before the funds are available.

So what happens next? The plan will now go to PSTA’s Finance Committee, if that committee also recommends approval, it will go to PSTA’s full Board for a vote at the end of this month. If PSTA’s Board approves the plan later this month, then HART’s Board is expected to make its decision on whether to transfer the grant money to PSTA at a future HART Board meeting.

Cross Bay Ferry trips ended May 1st when Hillsborough County cut ties with HMS Ferries from Boston. The boats had moved people since 2016, with the final dock at Port St. Pete instead of North Yacht Basin. By owning the boats, PSTA aims to cut the $450 per hour costs. This could mean cheaper tickets than the current $12 fare or less money needed from local funds.

Miller pointed out recent success in ridership. "Actually, since the pandemic, there are more riders going to St. Petersburg on the ferry than going to Tampa."

Officials might mix one fresh boat with one pre-owned vessel. With two boats working at once, people could start trips from either city whenever they want.

HART must approve moving the money by June 1st. If not, PSTA will seek companies that own boats, but this means cities would pay more. Research by Forward Pinellas shows most bay crossings aren't for work; just 16% are job-related. The boats would serve both workers and visitors.

Both city leaders back the idea. While PSTA could sell the boats if needed, past numbers suggest strong demand for water transit across the bay.