Aug 19, 2026 - News

PTSA lands $16M grant for revamped ferry service

Yacob Reyes

Aerial view of a white SF Bay Ferry called Bay Breeze cutting through blue water toward the right, beside a large Matson cargo ship; distant city skyline on the horizon. — The Bay Breeze. Photo: Courtesy of the PSTA

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) welcomed the first of two vessels for its revamped, cross-bay ferry service and landed a $16 million grant from the federal government to build another.

Why it matters: The popular service — which, before it shuttered last year, connected Tampa and St. Petersburg — is one step closer to reopening.

Driving the news: The Bay Breeze, which the transit authority bought for $2.5 million in April, arrived in Tarpon Springs this week.

Tarpon Marine Service will refurbish the 250-passenger vessel locally before it enters service. The Bay Breeze will later be renamed during a ceremony.
The second vessel is expected to arrive in the coming weeks and will also be refurbished at the facility. The refurbishment of both vessels is funded by a Federal Transit Administration grant.

The big picture: The transit authority received an additional $16.5 million federal grant to build a third vessel for the service, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced this week.

The new vessel is expected to accommodate more than 200 passengers, according to the St. Pete Catalyst.

What's next: The Tampa Bay Ferry is expected to begin service later this year.

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PTSA lands $16M grant for revamped ferry service

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