A water taxi service could begin ferrying riders between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island beaches as soon as July.
Construction of two 49-passenger vessels, named “Downtown Duchess” and “Miss Anna Maria,” should be completed by late June.
Monday, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council voted 8-0 to recommend spending $425,000 to promote the water taxi service over the next 10 months.
The board’s recommendation will now head to the Manatee County Commission for final approval.
Initially, the water taxi service would be offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Bradenton, the City of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach.
There are still some i’s to be dotted and t’s to be crossed before that happens, however.
Agreements await signatures
An agreement between the three cities to be served is tentatively scheduled to be placed on the May county commission meeting, said Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Also, at that same meeting, the Manatee County Commission is set to consider an operating agreement with Clearwater-based Gulf Coast Water Taxi, LLC.
The proposed $425,000 subsidy from tourism taxes is intended to help make the water taxi service operational.
Tourism taxes are generated from fees paid by tourists who visit the area and stay in short-term rentals or hotels. Beyond that, county officials will search for grants and other funding services.
What to know about AMI water taxi
Water taxi passengers would be charged $8 for one-way trips or $10 for an all-day pass.
Starting at the day dock along the Bradenton Riverwalk, the water taxi would ferry customers to the Anna Maria Island Pier, the Bradenton Beach Pier, one of the boat ramps near Coquina Beach and then back again.
Eventually, Palmetto would be connected to the service and other possible locations — with a proposed third taxi — could include the Ellenton area near the U.S. 301 -Interstate 75 intersection and Fort Hamer Park.
“We have talked about an island ferry for 25 years,” tourism board member Ed Chiles said, applauding the apparent near-term start of the service.
“This subsidizing in the short term is well worthwhile,” Chiles said.
A water taxi service could begin ferrying riders between downtown Bradenton and locations on Anna Maria Island as soon as July. Provided by Manatee County
A water taxi service could begin ferrying riders between downtown Bradenton and locations on Anna Maria Island as soon as July. Provided by Manatee County
This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 3:58 PM.
