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Board accepts Cross Bay Ferry report, says county management of pilot will end this season
Summary
County staff reported ridership trends and financials for the Cross Bay Ferry pilot; commissioners accepted the report and agreed county management will end after this season while staff can provide technical assistance to a regional transit authority's future RFP.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners accepted a staff report on March 5 summarizing the performance, ridership trends and finances of the intercity Cross Bay Ferry pilot and affirmed that county management of the pilot will end after the current season.
John Mueller, director of facilities management and real estate services, told commissioners the Cross Bay Ferry pilot has run eight seasons over nine years. Staff reported the county's total contribution to the pilot over the program's life will be about $1.44 million and that the county subsidized each rider trip roughly $3.17 during the current contract period.
Mueller said ridership is primarily weekend and evening oriented ("transportainment," not commuter-focused) and that ridership this year is lower than some prior seasons due to lost operating days and changes such as the shift of a St. Petersburg dock to Port of St. Pete.
County staff recommended that future ferry service would be better managed by a transit authority or private operator because transit authorities have broader funding eligibility and established marketing and operational platforms. PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) had expressed interest and staff said they could offer technical assistance on an RFP but that any future county subsidy or commitment would require separate board approval.
Commissioners voted 7-0 to accept the report. The board also asked staff to note that the $1.2 million in grant match funds currently in the county CIP would remain available and that any decisions about vessel grants or transfers (related to a federal grant awarded to HART) are matters for those governing boards to resolve.
Ending: The county will conclude direct management of the Cross Bay Ferry at the end of this season; staff declined to commit to future subsidies and said it would support a competitive RFP process led by a transit authority if requested.
