Company Chosen To Run Ferry Between Downtown St. Pete, Tampa: PSTA

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Hubbard’s Marina was chosen as the new operator of the Tampa Bay Ferry connecting downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority said in a news release.

The PSTA board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a five-year operating contract with Hubbard’s with an option to extend the agreement for another five years.

“Today’s vote reflects our shared commitment to developing a reliable, enjoyable, and forward-thinking ferry service for the Tampa Bay region,” Deborah Figgs-Sanders, PSTA board chair and St. Petersburg City Council member, said. “Hubbard’s Marina brings decades of maritime expertise and a deep understanding of our local waterways. Their partnership is essential to creating a service that is built to last and one that the region can be proud of.”

The family-owned business was founded in 1928 and it established a new business, Tampa Bay Sea Taxi, Inc., to operate the ferry.

The board also approved the purchase of a 250-passenger ship using federal grant funding for the ferry service, the news release said. The previous Cross-Bay Ferry only carried 149 people.

“We are honored to partner with PSTA to bring Tampa Bay the ferry service our cities deserve,” Tara Hubbard, president and CEO of Tampa Bay Sea Taxi, said. “This service not only connects communities, it showcases Tampa Bay’s beauty, supports local businesses, and gives residents a new way to travel without sitting in traffic.”