A ferry running across Tampa Bay connecting downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg is about to become reality.

  • Ferry between downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg receives final approval
  • Tampa to fund ferry project along with St. Petersburg
  • Each has pledged $350K to the project
  • Service to start in November

On Tuesday, Pinellas County commissioners gave the last approval needed to begin a pilot program in November. The measure was approved 5 to 1.

The ferry project has already been approved by Tampa and St. Petersburg. The commuter ferry between the two Bay area downtowns is being supported – and funded – by both local governments.

The pilot project is slated to begin a six-month trial run in November. The ferry system would run twice per day, three times on Fridays and would carry 150 passengers at a time.

One way fares are expected to be $10.

Hillsborough County first pledged $350,000, or 25 percent of the total project cost, during a city council meeting in Tampa. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman also has long supported the idea of a ferry.

The ferry is a pilot program being paid for by the two city councils and Hillsborough and Pinellas commissions.

However, officials hope after its initial run, the ferry will become financially self-sufficient.