Cross-Bay Ferry Highlights Services For People With Disabilities

TAMPA, FL — The Cross-Bay Ferry hosted members of the Tampa Mayor's Alliance for Persons with Disabilities and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities on board the ferry Tuesday to see how the ferry is accommodating those with disabilities and get feedback on improvements.

The ride preceded a joint meeting for the two organizations and represented another step in advancing the ferry as a long-term, accessible transportation option for travel across the bay, said Matt Miller, president, HMS Ferries, operator of the Cross-Bay Ferry.

The ferry is designed and operated to provide an accessible commuting option for people with disabilities and to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. During the hour-long ride, members of the Tampa Mayor's Alliance for Persons with Disabilities and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities were able to experience the ferry’s onboard features and share feedback and perspectives to improve the ferry’s offerings.

“We welcome this ongoing collaboration with the Tampa Mayor's Alliance for Persons with Disabilities and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities as we continue to enhance our services for people with disabilities – both now and as we work toward expanded, permanent ferry service across Tampa Bay,” said Miller. “These efforts ensure we continue to offer an accessible and enjoyable onboard experience for all, and the insights gained will be important for designing future permanent ferry service.”

“The members of the Tampa Mayor’s Alliance for Persons with Disabilities and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities strongly support developing permanent, 365-day-a-year ferry service for our community,” said Ben Ritter, chairman of the Tampa mayor’s alliance.

“Members of both alliances enjoyed using the Cross-Bay Ferry service," he said. "We anticipate that permanent year-round ferry service will be a tremendous option for providing regional mobility access to our residents and visitors who use wheelchairs and to those who are unable to drive. Additionally, it makes common and economic sense to provide Cross-Bay Ferry transportation service from Apollo Beach to MacDill Air Force Base for MacDill employees.”

The Cross-Bay Ferry plan calls for expanded and permanent intercity ferry service between Tampa, St. Petersburg and eventually South Hillsborough County. It also will create new commuter service from South Hillsborough County to MacDill Air Force Base to reduce vehicle travel on local and state roadways by more than 40 million miles each year while helping military families meet challenging transportation and housing needs.

Details about the plan can be found here.

The Cross-Bay Ferry is a regional collaboration among Hillsborough County, the city of Tampa, the city of St. Petersburg and the Florida Department of Transportation. This season’s service began on Oct. 19 and will continue until May.

The ferry normally offers four trips daily between Tampa and St. Petersburg on Wednesdays and Thursdays, eight trips daily on Fridays and Saturdays, and six trips daily on Sundays.

This month, riders can score midweek savings on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Use promo code “CROSSBAYWEEKDAY” and get up to three free tickets with the purchase of three full-price tickets.

Use promo code “KIDSRIDEFREE23” for up to two children (12 and under) to ride free with an adult.

In Tampa, the ferry departs from the dock at the Tampa Convention Center and in St. Petersburg from the dock at North Straub Park, near the Vinoy Basin. For tickets, click here.