The Brief
- The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority approved its annual budget Wednesday night, including grant funding for ferry service.
- The Cross Bay Ferry between Tampa and St. Petersburg will return next month with new high-speed vessels.
- Clearwater’s ferry service will expand with plans to add a Dunedin route.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has approved its new budget, and one of the biggest takeaways for Tampa Bay area residents and visitors is the return of ferry service.
Starting next month, the Cross Bay Ferry will once again connect Tampa and St. Petersburg, this time with faster, more efficient passenger boats.
The move comes after PSTA accepted a $4.9 million grant from the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) to purchase two new ferries. Officials said the service typically carries 80,000-100,000 riders each year, offering an alternative to traffic and a boost for local businesses.…