Forward Pinellas accepts regional waterborne transportation market study showing strong public interest

Forward Pinellas on a unanimous voice vote accepted a regional waterborne transportation market demand study that found widespread interest across the region in waterborne transit options but did not recommend a specific service plan or funding commitments.

The study, commissioned with assistance from Diedrich RPM and presented by Nosheen Grama, principal planner at Forward Pinellas, surveyed residents and seasonal visitors and conducted interviews with regional partners. Grama told the board the study "is not necessarily predicting or projecting ridership, but rather serves as a litmus test of the market" and is intended to identify opportunities and barriers before developing service plans.

The consultant, Liz Diedrich of Diedrich RPM, summarized survey findings and market analysis, saying most geographies surveyed showed high interest: "each geo was exceeding 78% and wanting to have waterborne transportation or access to it." The study tested attributes riders said mattered most: schedule, ease of use, convenient docking locations and price. Diedrich said the top route preferences cited by respondents were St. Petersburg–Tampa, St. Petersburg–Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg–Anna Maria Island/Bradenton.

Whit Blanton, executive director, framed the study as a follow-on to work by a waterborne committee and the agency's long-range transportation plan, both of which expanded consideration of waterborne options. He and others noted that the study does not create or fund service; "there is no service plan associated with the market research study," a staff member said at the meeting.

The board heard public comment in support from Kristi Brunner, vice president of advocacy at the St. Pete Chamber, who said the Chamber "thanks Pinellas for engaging in this important data collection process" and urged continued regional advocacy in Tallahassee.

Board members asked how a waterborne option would handle first-mile/last-mile connections and trips outside typical commute hours; Diedrich and Grama said those issues would be part of a later service-development phase or pilot. The Cross Bay Ferry and the newly launched Clearwater Ferry were discussed as local examples; the Clearwater Ferry fares were noted in the meeting as $5 for adults and $2.50 for seniors and people with disabilities, and staff said Clearwater service will expand schedule Thursday–Sunday and resume service to Dunedin once a storm-damaged marina is repaired.

The board took a single, nonbinding action to receive and accept the findings of the market-demand study; no funds or service commitments were approved.

Forward-looking notes: staff and partners may use the study as the basis for pilot service design, partnership outreach and grant applications, but any subsequent service plans, funding requests or operational commitments would return to local governments and the board for separate approval.