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Manatee County TDC: Water ferry nears 50,000 riders as officials discuss expansion, docks and funding
Summary
Manatee County tourism staff reported the water ferry is up about 82% year over year and could reach roughly 50,000 riders in 2025; officials discussed new landings, seating capacity, ADA access requirements and potential grant funding for additional vessels and docks.
Elliot Falcione, director of tourism for Manatee County, told the Tourist Development Council the county—s water ferry service is approaching 50,000 riders for the calendar year and has reduced vehicle trips on local roads. "Depending on the weather, we may we should hit that 50,000 riders in the calendar year," Falcione said, adding ridership was up about 82% from the prior year and that the service likely removed roughly 22,000–23,000 cars.
Falcione said the system, launched at county direction about 2½ years ago to enhance multimodal travel between the mainland and Anna Maria Island, now runs five days a week and will move to six days a week by about Feb. 1, weather permitting. He described a new, heavier "hopper" ferry with roughly "30 plus"…
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