Florida could get a new Tampa Bay ferry by year's end after Cross-Bay service halted

Florida could see a new Tampa Bay ferry by the end of 2026 after the Cross-Bay service stopped in April 2025. The Tampa Bay Ferry, a project from Hubbard’s Marina, aims to restart crossings between Tampa and St. Petersburg with one-way fares targeted at $10. WUSF reported that Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority approved the plan and that Hubbard’s Marina is targeting a launch before year-end. Company leaders say the service is meant to be more than a leisure attraction—supporting daily commutes and offering an alternative to driving across Interstate 275 or the Gandy Bridge. A $4.8 million federal grant would back the operation, allowing Hubbard to run two ferries at once: Bay Clipper (149 seats) and Bay Breeze (249).