A Regional Win for Tampa Bay: Federal Grant Advances PSTA Tampa Bay Ferry Service
By: Gracie Glover
St. Petersburg Chamber Advocacy Intern 2026
University of South Florida, Tampa Campus, Masters Student
The announcement of a $16.5 million federal grant for a new Tampa Bay ferry marks more than a transportation upgrade—it represents the culmination of a long, steady regional effort to restore a service that connects communities, supports local businesses, and strengthens mobility across the bay. The funding will support the construction of a 249‑passenger vessel, expanding PSTA’s growing fleet and strengthening long‑term plans to deliver a reliable cross‑bay connection between downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa.
The Tampa Bay Ferry system is being built around a two‑vessel fleet, a structure designed to provide more consistent operations than the previous model. With two boats available, service can continue even when one vessel is scheduled for maintenance, creating a more reliable experience for riders. As part of this system, the route between St. Petersburg and Tampa will operate as the Sunshine Ferry. After the vessels arrive in Florida, they will undergo refurbishment, painting, and final preparation in Tarpon Springs before entering service.
Progress Through Steady Regional Collaboration
This week’s grant represents a significant regional milestone. The progress made over the past year and a half reflects coordinated efforts among PSTA, local governments, and regional chambers. Throughout this process, the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce played a supporting role, helping maintain momentum as the project moved through several key stages.
Beginning in early 2025, the Chamber worked with PSTA and partners as Hillsborough and Pinellas counties considered the transfer of federal ferry funding. That transfer ultimately moved approximately $5 million to Pinellas, enabling PSTA to begin acquiring vessels needed to restart service. As operational challenges emerged later that spring, the Chamber helped communicate the importance of maintaining cross‑bay mobility and supported discussions among regional partners as service models and operator proposals were evaluated.
By 2026, vessel acquisition became a central focus. PSTA pursued multiple options, including a used vessel from a San Francisco‑based agency whose sale depended on federal grant releases. To support progress, the Chamber joined the San Francisco Chamber in a letter to federal transportation officials, underscoring the importance of resolving the funding delay so the vessel could be transferred. This effort complemented PSTA’s ongoing evaluation of additional vessels and federal funding requests.
By mid‑2026, PSTA secured two vessels—Bay Breeze and Clipper—and began refurbishment planning. Both vessels completed inspections and sea trials before being scheduled for transport from San Francisco and Seattle to Florida, where they will undergo upgrades and final testing. Work also advanced on temporary and permanent dock infrastructure in both St. Petersburg and Tampa to prepare for service operations. The arrival of the Bay Breeze in Tampa Bay on August 17 marked a visible step toward restoring the route.
A Shared Regional Achievement
The newly awarded federal grant adds a third vessel to the fleet, supporting capacity, reliability, and long‑term service planning. With three vessels now in motion, the region is positioned to deliver a more stable and accessible cross‑bay connection.
This milestone reflects sustained collaboration. The Chamber’s contributions—supporting funding transfers, assisting vessel acquisition efforts, and coordinating with regional partners—were part of a broader effort to advance transportation options and strengthen mobility across Tampa Bay.
The Chamber convenes a monthly virtual Waterborne Transit Subcommittee meeting for all regional partners interested in moving this issue forward. Please reach out to Linnie Randolph (lrandolph@stpete.com), Advocacy and Leadership Manager, for more information.
