The City of St. Petersburg voted unanimously to approve an amended interlocal agreement on Tuesday that would shift oversight of a year‑round Tampa–St. Pete ferry to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and designate Hubbard's/Tampa Bay Sea Taxi as the preferred operator.

Advocates and city staff said the new model would pair a regional transit authority's operating and grant capacity with Hubbard's maritime experience, and would bring federal funds and concessions revenue into the service to reduce the local subsidy. "We have a new approach, a new day for the ferry," said Evan Morey, the city's director of Transportation and Parking Management, noting PSTA has secured nearly $5 million in federal grant money toward vessels.

Council members described the move as the best chance to restore year‑round service after recent operator bankruptcy and interrupted seasons. A city‑commissioned pilot and subsequent seasons produced evidence of local demand: staff said prior pilots recorded tens of thousands of trips and surveys that found most riders were area residents and that a $10 fare was a likely ridership sweet spot.

Councilmember Brandy Gabbard, who has repeatedly supported the ferry effort, called the partnership "the right partners on board" and moved approval. Councilmember Brandy Fig (Vic Sanders) successfully offered and the council accepted an amendment to the resolution to highlight the city's intent to prioritize the North Basin — initially with a temporary dock and then a permanent dock near the pier.

City staff described an implementation sequence timed to PSTA board actions: if council approves, the item will be reviewed at the PSTA Finance Committee and then the full PSTA board; staff will then start vessel selection and bring back license agreements and dock permits for Council consideration. "First, we need to go through the steps necessary to amend the city's comprehensive plan," Morey said, referencing a plan change needed to allow a permanent marina development at the North Basin site.

Hubbard's leaders said they were prepared to help identify suitable vessels quickly and to operate an initial service while dock planning proceeds. "If this is all gonna go perfectly well... maybe, this spring or late spring, we could maybe... start operating the service," said a Hubbard's representative at the meeting.

Council also approved a separate task order to move forward on dock siting and design work for a North Basin floating platform, with staff noting the preferred structure will be a wider, floating barge‑style platform to provide stability, ADA access and the ability to load two vessels simultaneously. The council was unanimous in directing that temporary docking along Bayshore be advanced immediately while the permanent dock design and permitting continue.

What happens next: the council-approved interlocal goes to the PSTA boards for consideration; if the full sequence is approved, PSTA will finalize vessels and Hubbard's will prepare operations while the city advances dock permits and comprehensive-plan amendments.