Companies can submit proposals to replace Cross Bay Ferry service

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A decision is expected at some point about what company will replace the Cross Bay Ferry Service.

Companies have until Aug. 28 to submit their proposals to the Pinellas County Transit Authority.

Once an operator is in place, the company would collaborate with PSTA to acquire two ferries and begin operating the service early next year.

Earlier this year, the Cross Bay Ferry service was terminated after the previous operator wanted to swap out the ferry with a slower boat. That boat would’ve taken twice as long to cross the bay, which violated their agreement with Hillsborough County.

Hillsborough County commissioners then terminated the agreement with HMS Ferries in mid April.

The U.S. Department of Transportation earlier approved a transfer of a nearly $5 million grant from the Hillsborough Area Reginal Transit Authority to the PSTA.