Ferry Service

The acquisition of the MV Bay Breeze will proceed only after inspection and federal transit approval. The boat is larger and faster and should provide more convenient rides than the previous ferry.

Tampa and St. Petersburg will each pay up to $350,000 annually for the service and receive a percentage of revenues.

Plans call for it to operate multiple times on Thursday to Sunday starting Nov. 1.

The Gulf Islands Ferry is scheduled to kick off on Friday, Dec. 8, pending final certification. Two open-air catamarans will shuttle people from downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria City Pier and Bridge Street Pier.

A majority of county commissioners said the price tag was too steep, with not enough potential commuters guaranteed to make it worthwhile.

The induction of the two new ferries marks the kick off of the long-awaited Gulf Island Ferry Service. It will launch later this summer.

St. Petersburg and Tampa’s City Councils approved Thursday a cross-bay ferry pilot program. The estimated total cost of the deal, which will run for six…