The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is set to conduct a public budget meeting addressing the future of the Cross Bay Ferry and the Clearwater Ferry in St. Petersburg, Florida.

These discussions come in the wake of the tragic Clearwater ferry accident and growing interest in establishing an alternative transportation link between Pinellas and Tampa.

Residents that we spoke with say they’re ready for the return of the ferries.

Resident Ryan Sabia expressed enthusiasm, saying, “I’m very excited, I’ll be riding it a lot. I want to avoid traffic and never drive on the Howard Frankland Bridge again.”

The $4.8 million grant PSTA received from HART earlier this year enables PSTA to purchase two ferries, helping drive down costs.

PSTA chief planning officer, Darden Rice, highlighted, “Owning the boat is essential for PSTA to maintain low fares, benefiting our partners in St. Pete and Tampa, as well as our riders.”

They intend to offer year-round service. New stops, like in Dunedin, are also up for discussion.

“We clearly heard from the people in Tampa Bay that they wanted more, and they deserve more,” Rice said.

Residents and taxpayers in Tampa and St. Pete will contribute to covering operational expenses. The target is for the ferries to be operational by this time next year.

The budget meeting begins tonight at 6 p.m. at PSTA’s headquarters at 3201 Scherer Drive in St. Petersburg. The meeting is open to the public.