New water taxi from Anna Maria Island to Bradenton is on track to start this summer
A water taxi service between Bradenton and Anna Maria Island could be operational before the next Manatee County Tourist Development Council meeting in August.
“It’s still looking good to start this summer between July and early August,” Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said on Monday.
Falcione said he is hopeful that the app used by MCAT riders to gauge when their bus arrives can also be used for the water ferry service.
“That’s really important to the success of the water taxi,” he said.
Still to be wrapped up are final touches on agreements between the local governments served by the planned service and Manatee County’s contract with Clearwater-based Gulf Coast Water Taxi, LLC.
Initially, the ferry service would start at the day dock along the Bradenton Riverwalk with stops at the Anna Maria Island Pier, the Bradenton Beach Pier and one of the boat ramps near Coquina Beach.
Fares would be $8 for one-way trips or $10 for an all-day pass.
Research Data Services, which tracks visitor data for the TDC, polled visitors on Anna Maria Island during the Memorial Day holiday to get a better sense of who might be using the water ferry.
Pollsters will be back on the island during the July Fourth holiday to mine more data.
A water taxi service between Manatee County’s mainland and island cities has long been discussed as an alternative to frequently overcrowded causeways and roads, and limited parking availability.
