TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Members of the Hillsboro Regional Regional Transportation Committee voted Monday to advance plans for a new Cross Bay ferry system, twice the ferry power between Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Hart’s approval means you’re one step closer to being paid for the grant.
Last week, board members of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority unanimously approved the new ferry service process by agreeing to accept a grant of nearly $5 million to purchase up to two ferries from Hillsboro County.
PSTA officials were lobbying at Monday’s meeting to pass the motion.
“Because we’re excited. This is part of the multi-mobile transport we’ve been looking forward to, and we hope that we’ll always be a trendsetter and continue to develop regional transport in the Tampa Bay Area.”
PSTA officials expect the ferries to be popular, especially during games and concerts.
“There’s a lot of events and a lot of traffic to these events, which is another option that people may be able to use,” said PSTA CEO Brad Miller.
The grants were from the government and would have been allocated elsewhere by federal transport controls.
Community leaders also attended the meeting and supported the ferry returning.
“The move ensures that funding remains local and supports new services that connect people, jobs and opportunities across the Bay Area,” said Casey Bauer of the Tampa Downtown Partnership.
The FTA must then obtain final approval for the transfer of funds.
