Smooth sailing of Sarasota Bradenton Ferry requires public’s input

The company that hopes to cut down gridlock with what could be the most scenic route from Sarasota to Bradenton has rolled out a new website and questionnaire ahead of its maiden voyage.

The Sarasota Bradenton Ferry’s survey, which can be found at sarasotabradentonferry.com, asks visitors why and how often they would ride the ferry and if they’re interested in advertising on it. One survey entrant will win a free ticket on the first ferry trip.

“The big thing is being able to further hear people’s needs and the good, the bad and the ugly as far as what they’re expecting,” said Chris Johnson, Sarasota Bradenton Ferry Company’s marketing director.

While the 149-person vessel won’t set sail until 2018, the company already has permissions from the cities of Sarasota, Bradenton and Bradenton Beach. Johnson said they’re seeking to finalize agreements with Palmetto.

As it sits now, the ferry company is proposing local and express routes. A trip on Sarasota Bay from 10th Street near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota to Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach would take about 34 minutes. The route from Bradenton Beach to Riverwalk in Bradenton would be a 28-minute trip.

An express route from Sarasota to Bradenton is expected to take an hour and 4 minutes.

There are a lot of moving parts, such as coordinating with rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, but Johnson expects that the average ticket price will hover around $12.50 and the individual roundtrip price could be $15.

“In the coming months, we will be working with local conservation organizations and the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure we launch the safest and most environmentally friendly use of our waterways for transportation,” marine operations director Capt. Sherman Baldwin said in a press release. “Future riders will be comfortable onboard and able to depend on our schedule.”

The vessel is sitting in Fort Lauderdale ahead of its eventual move to an “undisclosed location” on the Manatee River, Johnson said. It’s currently being reinspected after riding out Hurricane Irma and doesn’t have a name yet. Johnson said there could be a boat-naming contest in the future.

“We’re in it for the long haul,” he said. “We only get one opportunity to start right.”

Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said it’s been a long time coming.

“We think it’d be a great thing,” he said. “We’re ready for it to go.”

There have been a few bumps along the way, Poston acknowledged, be it finalizing budgets or Hurricane Irma.

“Now everybody can move forward,” he said.

This story was originally published November 3, 2017 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Smooth sailing of Sarasota Bradenton Ferry requires public’s input."