The Cross Bay Ferry will operate its final route on Wednesday, officially ending service between Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Hillsborough County Commissioners terminated the ferry’s four-year contract after discovering the operator was using a slower vessel than initially agreed upon.

For more than three years, the ferry provided a popular transportation link across the Bay, drawing regular riders from both cities.

Tampa residents Christy and Mike Sesser say they’ve frequently relied on the ferry to visit downtown St. Petersburg.

“We’re definitely disappointed and sad. We use it every year and hope they find a way to bring it back,” Christy Sesser told Bay News 9. “It’s a great way to travel between the two big cities.”

“I think it’s the convenience and the price point,” added Mike Sesser. “It’s much more relaxing than sitting in traffic on the bridge.”

Hillsborough County and the City of St. Petersburg are actively looking for a new operator but have yet to secure a replacement to continue the service.

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(Image credit: Cross Bay Ferry)

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