BRADENTON – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) discussed the status of the new water ferry service and the possibility of adding a third ferry on April 15.
The Gulf Islands Ferry service began in January with two boats stopping at the Bradenton Beach Pier, the Anna Maria Pier and the Bradenton day dock. The service initially ran Friday through Sunday, with Wednesdays and Thursdays added to the schedule.
According to TDC member and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione, a third boat is needed.
“We won’t know everything until we know. We’re going to be a little bit bold,” Falcione said. “What I’ve said to staff and even to Tricia (Rodriguez, president of Gulf Coast Water Taxi), it’s kind of shame on us if the weather is beautiful and the boats are sitting at the day dock in Bradenton and there’s traffic going out to the Island.”
Falcione said the goal is to have the ferry boats running seven days a week by February 2025. He said since launching the boats, there have been 22 days that service was suspended due to chop, wind and rain. He also said they have looked at boats that are totally enclosed and could run during bad weather with rooftop decks that would offer great views,making for fewer canceled trips. Falcione said the cost for these boats would be in the range of $2.6-$2.8 million dollars. He said the new boats would be close to the same size as the current boats, so the docks wouldn’t need to be modified.
“If you ask me what I think, we need to come to the Board of County Commissioners and ask to buy that third ferry soon,” Falcione said. “Once we say go, it’s probably going to take 12 months, give or take, to build that boat, and that should mitigate a lot of those suspended dates.”
Falcione said the suspended days cost the service a potential 7,000 passengers.
Rodriguez said the growth of the ferry ridership is like nothing she has experienced, adding that she is seeing growth among both tourists and residents. Despite the success of the program, she said challenges remain, the primary one being weather.
“We roll with the punches and always make sure it’s safe,” she said. “We leave that to our captains and our crew; we know there can be sudden weather changes. That being said, we would be remiss if we didn’t talk about water-borne transportation and weather changes that we have. A lot of that could be mitigated with the right operation, the right dock situation, ADA compliance and all the things our team is doing.”
She echoed Falcione in saying that larger boats better equipped for inclement weather would improve the service with fewer delays.
The TDC did not take action on the suggestion of a new boat.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Manatee County Commission approved an interlocal agreement that allows the Anna Maria City Pier to serve as a Gulf Island Ferry stop.
Approved on Oct. 10, the agreement requires the county to pay for any ferry-related pier improvements needed to accommodate the county-funded ferries.
In September, the Anna Maria Commission approved the county’s request to attach two, non-submerged composite pilings to the pier’s existing boat landing area to accommodate the ferries, at an estimated cost of $10,000.
County commissioners also approved an amendment to an interlocal agreement reached with the city of Bradenton Beach in 2021. That agreement pertains to the recently completed dock expansion project that included attaching 13 perpendicular finger docks to the floating day dock by the Bradenton Beach Pier and also replacing the nearby dinghy dock.
In 2021, the county agreed to reimburse the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for 50% of the dock expansion project costs, not to exceed $850,000 in matching county funds. The amended agreement allows the CRA to construct a $403,900 ferry waiting area near the dinghy dock, where a stormwater cistern was removed. That expenditure will count toward the matching funds limit but the county will reimburse the CRA for 100% of the waiting area costs.
Duncan Seawall will construct the waiting area that includes decking, a canvas-covered pergola and some covered tables. On Oct. 19, the city commission approved the new CRA project.
According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, $534,398 remains of the $850,000 matching funds limit, from which $403,900 will be deducted. The extended agreement gives the CRA until Sept. 30, 2024 to finish the waiting area and any additional pier and dock improvement projects eligible for reimbursement.
Dock discovery
During a recent visit to the floating dock, the county’s contracted engineer and contracted ferry operator concluded the dock is too low to accommodate a ramp that provides ADA-compliant access for passengers.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione serves as point man for the long-desired ferry service. He told The Sun that the county now plans to use the dinghy dock as an alternative ferry landing. The dinghy dock is stationary and higher than the floating dock. Falcione said the ferries will not carry the previously discussed boat-mounted access ramps but portable or dock-mounted ramps could be used where needed.
“There will be safe access and ADA compliance,” Falcione said of the ferry stops that also include the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton and the county-owned Coquina South boat ramp.
Falcione expects service to begin around Thanksgiving and initially operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays. He said the schedule can then be adjusted based on consumer demand.
“I’m excited that we’re as close as we’ve been,” he said. “Once we get this running, we work on how we transport the service workers.”
Falcione said one of the two ferries was recently damaged when its roof came in contact with a dock piling while docked in Cortez.
“That’s in repair but it doesn’t delay this operation,” he said.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The floating dock in Bradenton Beach, above, is too low to be used as a ferry landing. The Bradenton Beach dinghy dock, right, will serve as an alternative ferry landing
ANNA MARIA – Manatee County and Anna Maria city officials continue to discuss the safety and docking modifications needed to accommodate a Gulf Island Ferry stop at the city pier.
Those negotiations remain ongoing, and the city and the county have not yet entered into an interlocal agreement that would allow the city pier to serve as a ferry stop.
At some point this year, Manatee County plans to begin Friday, Saturday and Sunday ferry service between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, with stops at the city pier in Anna Maria, the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Coquina South boat ramp in Bradenton Beach.
In August, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission rejected the county’s proposal to install pilings, a floating dock and a gated and locked ferry landing area at the existing boat landing at the T-end of the pier. Murphy told county officials to focus instead on installing Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant landing ramps on the ferries so passengers can embark and disembark without significant modifications made to the pier.
Pier visit
On Sept. 7, one of the Gulf Island Ferry boats made a trial run that included stops at each planned ferry stop. Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione is leading the county’s efforts to implement the water taxi service. He told The Sun that meetings with city officials took place at each of the trial run stops that day.
Later that evening, Murphy provided the city commission with a progress update. He said he met with Falcione, an engineer, a ferry captain and others on the pier earlier that day. He noted county officials refer to the two new boats as ferries, rather than water taxis, and that’s how the county service is being marketed.
“I don’t have an agreement to show you, but we’re closer,” Murphy told the commission.
He said he was asked if the city would allow the county to drive two pilings near the existing landing area to provide better stabilization for the ferries. Murphy said he didn’t know if the pilings would require permits from the Army Corps of Engineers or other regulating agencies. As an alternative to the pilings, county officials also suggested the installation of a mooring arm that would help stabilize the docked ferries.
Murphy said the county officials brought no illustrated plans to the ad-hoc pier meeting. He asked them to submit two plans, with estimated costs, for city commission consideration – one plan for pilings and another for a mooring arm.
Murphy said if pilings are installed, the city would specify that they must be made of concrete or plastic composite. He noted there are worms in the Tampa Bay waters that deteriorate and destroy wood pilings.
Any city-approved pier modifications would be installed at the county’s expense and the city would then be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of those modifications.
“I want it to be very low maintenance,” Murphy said.
Murphy said the city would install signs that require other boats tied to the small public landing area to be occupied at all times so they can be moved to make space for an approaching ferry. Those who leave an unattended boat in the landing area will face a possible fine.
“People have to yield to the water taxi,” Murphy said.
If the city and county enter into an interlocal agreement and the city decides later to opt out of the ferry service, the city must reimburse the county for the pier modifications made.
Commission Chair Mark Short asked if the county provided an estimated timeline to complete the pier modifications. Murphy said no timeline was given but the goal is to get it done as soon as possible.
When contacted by The Sun, Falcione said, “We are making progress and we are getting closer to starting our operation. I am not ready to give an estimated start date.”
ANNA MARIA –City officials rejected Manatee County’s proposed water taxi-related modifications to the City Pier, but negotiations remain ongoing.
On Aug. 3, Mayor Dan Murphy presented the county’s proposed pier modifications to the city commission. The modifications rejected by the mayor and commission included a floating finger dock with submerged pilings attached perpendicular to the existing boat landing at the T-end of the pier. The county also proposed railings and a locked gate that would have provided exclusive access to the county water taxis.
The county’s rejected plan proposed a floating finger dock (in red), and an exclusive water taxi landing area (in yellow) at the T-end of the pier (in blue). – Manatee County | Submitted
The county-funded water taxis will initially be operated from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between downtown Bradenton, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach by the county-contracted Gulf Island Ferry company.
“When I saw this, I was not happy with it at all,” Murphy told the commission.
Murphy said the proposed pier modifications would cost the county $300,000, but the city would have to reimburse the county for that amount if the city later decided to opt out of the water taxi program.
Murphy said Anna Maria, like Bradenton and Bradenton Beach, will now agree to pay for the ongoing maintenance of any county-funded pier modifications approved by the city commission.
The mayor and commission are also concerned that the county has not yet provided specific details pertaining to any additional water taxi-related safety modifications needed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Murphy said the proposed finger dock would require several pilings that would require permitting by the Army Corps of Engineers, which could be a lengthy process.
Murphy said he met with Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione on Aug. 1, before the Council of Governments (COG) meeting later that afternoon.
“I told them this is not an acceptable proposal for the city of Anna Maria,” Murphy said. “You need to keep this simple, short, sweet and very cost-effective with minimal or no cost to the city if we decide to cancel,” Murphy said.
“My proposal back to them was just to dock parallel to the existing landing. If there’s any modification that needs to be made, make them to your boat. It’s a lot cheaper to modify a boat than it is to do all this and it requires no permit,” he said.
Murphy said the proposed pier modifications were designed by the county’s contracted engineering firm without any consultation with the city.
He said Van Ostenbridge and Falcione agreed with his simplified approach for the water taxi landing area and will proceed in that direction.
“With what I proposed, they literally could be in business in a couple of days. There’s no rocket science here. Somehow, I think this will come to fruition,” he said.
Regarding the service itself, Murphy said, “I told them this is not the focus of what our city wants for a water taxi, based upon the hours of operation and the days of operation. It’s not what we view as an endgame, but it’s a start in the right direction. I endorse that start and recommend that start because I truly believe there’s a future here in the water taxi to serving this city, particularly as it relates to bringing employees out here. Make it fast, make it economical, make it attractive to employees to bring them out and drop them off here or down in Bradenton Beach. It would have to be efficient and timely. Three days a week with the hours they propose is not going to attract many employees,” Murphy said.
Murphy said Falcione and Van Ostenbridge agreed and they recognize this is just a starting point for a service that will hopefully later be expanded.
“If it works, it works. If it doesn’t work, I don’t want to have to pay a ransom to walk away,” Murphy said.
Commissioner Deanie Sebring said the county’s proposed plan didn’t consider that fishing is a primary use of the City Pier. She said the proposed railing and gated area made no sense.
As an alternative, Murphy said the commission could adopt a city resolution that prohibits unattended boats from being tied up to the pier landing area. Commissioner Charlie Salem said if the water taxis run on a regular schedule, docking at the landing could be prohibited during those 15 intervals.
When commenting on the proposed modifications, Commission Chair Mark Short said, “I hate this. I hate tying up one corner of the pier by putting a fence up. I hate the logistics of putting a dock in. They’re proposing wooden pilings that won’t last in Tampa Bay. Bringing it in sideways makes way too much sense to me. There’s rarely a boat that docks there anyway.”
Short reiterated Commissioner Jon Crane’s concerns that the county still hasn’t presented any proposed ADA compliance modifications and he questioned whether that could include a proposal to install safety railings along the entire length of the pier walkway, where none currently exist.
Echoing Murphy’s comments, Short said the service schedule and rates are not going to encourage Island employees to use the water taxis to commute from the mainland.
“I don’t see any incentive for someone who would want to take this to come out here and work. Maybe that’s the next step,” Short said.
Future expansion
During Tuesday’s COG meeting, Falcione discussed the anticipated future expansion of the water taxi/ferry service. He said the county plans to apply for a grant to purchase a larger, high-speed ferry to transport passengers between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria, with the two pontoon boats then traveling between the City Pier, the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Coquina South boat ramp.
The Gulf Island Ferry water taxis were recently placed in the water in Cortez. – Manatee County | Submitted
Falcione envisions water taxi/ferry service someday taking place seven days a week with an expanded route and additional stops, including stops near the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto and the new Marriot hotel currently being built next to it, and at the Powel Crosley Estate near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
Falcione said the initial water taxi service is now expected to begin this fall, to be followed in early 2024 with a program that incentivizes employee ridership. Falcione said the county has already committed $1.4 million to the water taxi/ferry service.
BRADENTON – An open house held on June 27 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) offered answers to many of the questions regarding the long-awaited ferry service between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton.
On April 23, CVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione said the hope was to have the boats operational by July, potentially by the Fourth of July weekend, a goal that was missed. The new, more conservative estimate is to have the boats running with passengers onboard by the end of the summer.
Although construction of the two 49-passenger pontoon boats is almost complete, they still require plenty of testing to get all Coast Guard certifications and permits issued. In addition, the city of Anna Maria has not yet reached an interlocal agreement with the county regarding the use of the Anna Maria City Pier as the northernmost stop on the Island.
The current plan is to have the water taxis depart downtown Bradenton and dock at the Anna Maria City Pier in Anna Maria and the Bradenton Beach Pier and South Coquina Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy says there are things in the county’s proposed agreement that are of concern, and they are waiting for a revised proposal that makes better business sense for the city. Regardless, the project continues to move forward.
“I just got the call that boats will be splashing in the water in about two weeks,” Gulf Coast Water Taxi owner Trisha Rodriguez said. “Now that is without any Coast Guard validation and without any sea trials being done. It’s going to take a couple of weeks, if not a couple of months to get all of those sea trials completed. Most importantly regarding the timeline is that the docks have to be ready, and they are not ready now. The issue right now is we don’t have anywhere to go to, even if we were ready now, the docks have to be ready for the boats and they aren’t at this time.”
Rodriguez says that before the service begins there will be some trips for media and partners of the project to ride and see how the boats will operate. Dates for those trips have not yet been set. As for where the boats will be kept between splashdown in Bradenton and the start of the service, Rodriguez said that is being negotiated currently and they should have an answer in the next few days.
The open house also answered many of the basic questions many have had regarding the service once it is operational, including:
Days and hours of operation
Initially the Gulf Islands Ferry will operate every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. year-round. The captain of the boat will have complete authority over stopping service due to weather issues. During the stormy summer months, there will be times service will be suspended for safety reasons.
Cost
Tickets will be $8 for a one-way ride, $5 for children 4-12 and $6 for seniors. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or they can be purchased when boarding the boat if space is available.
Trip length
Assuming the city of Anna Maria reaches an agreement for use of the pier, the service will depart the downtown Bradenton Riverwalk near the Green Bridge with a 35-minute ride to Anna Maria City Pier. Exact times to the Bradenton Beach Pier and South Coquina Boat Ramp will be determined after sea trials begin in the next few weeks. This information will be updated frequently at www.gulfislandferry.com.
Where to park
In Bradenton, free parking is available at the City Centre Parking Facility at Third Avenue West between 10th and 12th Streets. On the Island, there is public parking at Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and the Bridge Street area in Bradenton Beach. In Anna Maria, there is also free public parking near the city pier along the bay and on Pine Avenue. Parking on AMI can be very limited and part of the reason county officials have shown so much support for this project is because they hope people coming from Bradenton will use the service instead of bringing a car to the Island. The Island has a free trolley service as well as privately-owned transportation services that make getting around fairly easy without a personal vehicle.
Pet policy
Leashed, well-behaved pets are allowed onboard as long as they don’t bother other guests and all service pets are welcome. It should be noted that pets are prohibited on all Anna Maria Island beaches.
Restrooms
There is one restroom on each vessel.
Beach gear
Most commonly used beach gear and coolers are permitted on the boats, but due to U.S. Coast Guard regulations, bicycles will not be permitted on the water taxi.
Private charters
If arrangements are made at least two weeks in advance, most large groups can be accommodated. To schedule, email kristi@gulfcoastwatertaxi.com.
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi will be available on both water taxis; however, it should be noted that there will be dead spots along the route and full boats could experience bandwidth issues.
ANNA MARIA – City and county officials continue to work on an interlocal agreement that would allow the Anna Maria City Pier to be used as a landing area for Manatee County’s pending water taxi service.
On March 9, Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria City Commission discussed but took no formal action on the revised interlocal agreement recently received from the county. That document includes the revisions county staff made to the original agreement the city proposed several months ago.
The discussion resulted in additional revisions being requested by the city commission. Those revisions will be included in an updated agreement to be presented during the commission’s Thursday, March 23 meeting or soon thereafter. If the commission deems those revisions acceptable, the city-revised agreement will be returned to county officials for their consideration.
Waiting for the taxi
The water taxi service was originally expected to begin in March or April. In October, Manatee County commissioners authorized then-County Administrator Scott Hopes to spend up to $700,000 to design and build two pontoon boats to be used as water taxis. Manatee County will initially own the boats to be managed and operated by the Clearwater-based Clearwater Ferry company.
According to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione, the water taxis will travel to and from downtown Bradenton with anticipated stops at the Anna Maria City Pier, the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Coquina South boat ramp in Bradenton Beach, operating from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Extended hours and/or additional service days are possible depending on demand.
When asked about a starting date for the water taxi service, Murphy told the commission that Falcione would not commit to a specific date but said it would be “right around the corner.”
City revisions
The county-revised agreement says the purposes of the water taxi program are “to relieve
automobile congestion coming to and from the Island, and to provide an alternative and affordable means of public transportation to and from the Island for Manatee County visitors, residents and service workers.”
City Commissioner Charlie Salem suggested removing the word “service” and making the reference inclusive to all who work on the Island.
Commission Chair Mark Short referenced the proposed agreement language that says the cost of any Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-related improvements, permits or studies required for water taxi dockage at the pier would be the financial responsibility of Manatee County or its water taxi contractor.
Short said those ADA improvements could potentially include safety rails being added to the existing boat landing area near the T-end of the pier. He noted the proposed language doesn’t address who would cover the costs of any water taxi-related ADA improvements needed elsewhere on the pier in order to serve as a water taxi stop. According to Murphy, the commission would have to approve any changes or improvements made to the pier.
Short also referenced the agreement language that says, “Subsequent maintenance and the cost thereof for the pier shall remain the responsibility of the city.” He suggested the ongoing maintenance remain the responsibility of the county.
Short noted the county-revised version of the agreement references Exhibits A and B, but those exhibits were not included with the document. City Attorney Becky Vose said the city can’t formally enter into the interlocal agreement without being provided with the documents.
BRADENTON – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) unanimously voted on Nov. 4 to recommend that Manatee County commissioners allocate up to $950,000 in resort tax revenue to help fund a water taxi initiative.
Commissioners unanimously supported the initiative in October. The service is planned to run from its core stop just east of the Green Bridge in Bradenton to the City Pier in Anna Maria, then go south to the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and finally to the South Coquina Boat launch. The water taxi will run Friday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
TDC members cited funding from three sources – the county resort tax, beach concession revenues and the Coquina Beach Market, which Manatee County recently began operating.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Executive Director Elliott Falcione said the TDC also will be seeking federal and state grants for the project as well, but those may not be available until the service is in operation.
“At this time, we hope to be ordering the vessels within the next few weeks,” Falcione said. “It’s going to be two 49- or 50-passenger pontoon-style vessels that will be about 50 feet in length.”
Falcione said they will be using a Florida-based boat builder, but could not give an accurate estimate on how long the construction would take. He cited supply problems that are causing issues in many construction industries for not being able to give a completion date.
Falcione said they also are working on a service that could transport employees from the mainland directly to the Island, alleviating problems they have with parking, which is especially difficult during the busy spring tourist season.
MANATEE COUNTY – The county’s chief tourism official briefed county commissioners on Sept. 13 on plans in the works for a water taxi between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton, including new funding sources.
Revenues generated by the county-controlled Coquina Beach Market will help fund the water taxi, said Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Revenues generated by the 5% tourist development tax levied on vacation rentals, resorts and other lodging establishments in Manatee County could also be used, as could surplus beach concession funds, he said. Falcione is working with Manatee County Public Works Director Chad Butzow and Transit Division Manager Jason Harris to develop the water taxi service under the direction of County Administrator Scott Hopes.
In August, Falcione told the Anna Maria City Commission he hoped to present a formal contract proposal to county commissioners on Sept. 13, but he told county commissioners that day that some final details were still being worked out with the proposed water taxi company.
Falcione said he and Hopes plan to present a formal contract proposal to the county commission on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and he plans to present the tourist development tax funding request to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) in October.
Falcione said the water taxis would travel from the day dock in downtown Bradenton to the Anna Maria City Pier, and then to the floating dock at the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and then to either the Coquina North or Coquina South boat ramp. The return trip would include stops at the Bridge Street Pier and the Anna Maria City Pier on the way to downtown Bradenton. The inclusion of a Coquina boat ramp destination, located across the street from Coquina Beach, triggers the ability to use tourist development tax proceeds for the water taxis, he said.
More details
Falcione said the water taxi program would feature two 49-passenger pontoon catamaran boats operating simultaneously between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. He anticipates the service beginning in February or March and initially operating from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Falcione repeatedly referenced a Clearwater-based company that’s operated a water taxi service since 2015. Falcione did not mention the company’s name, but he later confirmed for The Sun that Clearwater Ferry is the company the county is negotiating with.
Clearwater Ferry currently operates a water taxi service three days a week that includes stops in downtown Clearwater, the Clearwater Beach municipal marina, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, North Clearwater Beach and Dunedin, according to its website.
Falcione said water taxi passengers would pay $8 for a one-way ride or $10 for an all-day pass, with discounts given for seniors and children. The no-cash operation will accept electronic payments only.
Falcione mentioned the Anna Maria Commission’s request that the Island’s hospitality and service industry employees be allowed to ride the water taxis for free when commuting to work.
“We’re looking at that. We think it’s palatable. There’s some pros and cons to that,” Falcione told county commissioners.
He then noted the water taxi company already has experience and case study data pertaining to employee ridership. County Commissioner Misty Servia said business owners should provide water taxi passes to their employees as an employee benefit.
Citing weather concerns and travel on the Intracoastal Waterway, Commissioner Carol Whitmore expressed concerns about using pontoon boats as water taxis.
Hopes said county funds would be used to subsidize the upfront capital equipment costs
that include the two boats. He said liens would be placed on the boats and the liens would later be removed after enough revenues have been generated to cover those initial costs.
“It’s not as simple as us going out and buying boats,” Hopes said.
Falcione said the county may have to make some county-funded improvements to the proposed water taxi landing locations in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Bradenton.
Commissioners Vanessa Baugh and Reggie Bellamy asked whether the water taxis would accommodate bikes, coolers, beach chairs and other items used by beachgoers.
“We’ll look at all that. The amenities the families want to bring out are really important,” Falcione said.
According to the Clearwater Ferry website, U.S. Coast Guard regulations do not allow bikes on board their vessels. The Clearwater Ferry website also notes their vessels do not have restrooms.
To better serve county residents, Commissioner James Satcher suggested including water taxi stops along SR 64 and US Highway 301.
Regarding future expansion, Falcione said, “This is just the basic infrastructure to get it going. This is what we and the third-party operator feel would give our best chance for short-term success.”
Falcione said future expansion would likely include service to the new hotel being built next to the convention center in Palmetto.
“We see it going to Longboat Key at some point. We see it going to Sarasota. We’re going to focus on Manatee County and get it started. As we learn, we’ll branch out and add partners,” Falcione said.
