The popular Cross Bay Ferry connecting St. Petersburg and Tampa will cease operations this Wednesday, April 30, marking the end of its current service.

This past weekend offered passengers their final opportunity to travel between the two cities before the shutdown. The ferry has been a valued transportation option for many residents like Robin Perkins, who has utilized the service for years.

“When I first moved here, we didn’t have anything like it,” Perkins told Bay News 9. “I always said to my friends we need something that can get us over to Tampa.”

The news of the service ending has disappointed regular riders. “I was really upset,” Perkins shared. “My first thought was, why?”

According to St. Petersburg Transportation Director Evan Mory, the early termination stems from HMS Ferries’ plan to replace the vessel with a slower boat that would double travel time across the bay. This change violated their agreement with Hillsborough County, prompting county commissioners to terminate the contract on April 16.

St. Petersburg officials have stated they are already working with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority and other government partners to issue a request for proposals and investigate options for establishing a new ferry service in the future.

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