PSTA selects a local captain for new Tampa Bay Ferry

A family whose name has been synonymous with area marine-based activities for nearly a century will likely now ferry passengers between downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has selected Hubbard’s Marina to operate the much-anticipated Tampa Bay Ferry service following a competitive proposal process. An evaluation committee comprised of four representatives from the agency, one from the City of St. Petersburg and another from the City of Tampa chose the family-owned company over three other applicants.

Hubbard’s Marina would operate the ferry service as Tampa Bay Sea Taxi, Inc. PSTA’s governing board heard the recommended proposal Wednesday evening without formally approving a contract.

“With this solicitation, I think another win for the agency was that we were able to address significant inefficiencies from the prior contract that we had with the Cross Bay Ferry,” said Al Burns, director of procurement. “One of our goals was to reduce costs from the previous contract, and I believe we’ve done that.”

Four generations of Hubbards have served area residents and tourists from John’s Pass, in Madeira Beach, since 1928. Their latest business venture will replace the now-defunct Cross Bay Ferry, formerly operated by Boston-based HMS Ferries.

Hubbard’s Marina operates a fleet of vessels from its John’s Pass headquarters. Photo provided.

Burns noted his affinity for Hubbard’s Marina’s longtime slogan: “If you’re too busy to go fishing, you’re just too busy.” He also called four quality proposals – three were local and one operates in the Caribbean and Hawaii – an “extraordinary amount.”

The Tampa Bay Ferry’s operator is responsible for maintaining vessels provided by PSTA. Hubbard’s has an in-house marine fabrication and repair shop in Gulfport and can complete that work locally.

The family also has 24 years of ferry experience and operates a charter service with a 132-passenger capacity. Burns highlighted that Tampa Bay Sea Taxi added the CEO of Metal Shark Boats, Inc. to its team.

“That company has been in business for over 20 years,” Burns said. “They’re a major manufacturer of ferry vessels, which can really assist them with acquiring the two vessels in Phase One.”

Hubbard’s Marina proposed a $276.50 per hour operating cost, which is roughly half of what HMS Ferries charged local government partners. PSTA believes that owning the vessels and paying less for a captain will lead to improved service and increased ridership, while maintaining or lowering previous subsidies.

PSTA documents note that Tampa and St. Petersburg officials have “indicated” strong support, in the form of $350,000, for the ferry’s relaunch. PSTA hopes to have an interlocal agreement approved by the two city councils before its Oct. 29 board meeting, when board members will vote on a contract with Tampa Bay Sea Taxi.

Darden Rice, chief planning and community affairs officer, said the process can “feel a little slow.” She noted that PSTA has worked diligently with the Cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg to finalize funding agreements for the Tampa Bay Ferry.

“There’s a lot of back and forth, but that’s all part of the process,” Rice said. “It’s crucial to ensure that all legal, financial and policy details are thoroughly vetted. It makes sense for PSTA, for our municipal partners and, most importantly, for our taxpayers.

“This meticulous approach guarantees the long-term sustainability and success of this vital waterborne transit link in our regional transportation system.”

The Catalyst obtained this proposed site plan for a new, permanent ferry dock near the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Image: City of St. Petersburg.

City Development Administrator James Corbett, in a Sept. 19 memo, told council members that officials have completed a conceptual design for a permanent ferry dock near the St. Petersburg Museum of History and are now working on a detailed version. He said an $850,000 grant secured by Congresswoman Kathy Castor is pending for the roughly $2.85 million project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved a permit for a temporary dock in the Vinoy Yacht Basin, which berthed the Cross Bay from its inception in 2016 until October 2023. The Ferry docked at Port St. Petersburg after that permit ended until the service ran aground May 1, amid its long-awaited first year of continuous operation.

Corbett wrote that a solicitation for vendors to build the temporary dock is “nearly ready for release.” He also noted that the Tampa Bay Ferry moniker “better positions the service for potential expansion.”

The search for a new operator immediately followed approval of a $4.8 million grant transfer between the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority and PSTA in July. Burns said his agency “sincerely believes” it will receive additional federal funding for capital repairs and maintenance.

Rice said PSTA plans to give city council members on both sides of the bay two weeks to review a final five-year contract with Hubbard’s Marina before they vote on a five-year interlocal agreement Oct. 16. The agency’s finance committee will discuss both items Oct. 22 before the governing board’s vote Oct. 29.

“Ultimately, we will be presenting you a contract that I think you’re really going to be proud of,” Rice added. “And it will be a service that our citizens will be proud to take.”