Tampa Bay Chamber Ferry Survey

Tampa Bay Chamber Permanent Ferry Service Survey

Local governments are considering a public-private partnership plan with HMS Ferries, the operator of the successful Cross-Bay Ferry, for permanent Tampa Bay ferry service. The Tampa Bay Chamber would like your opinion about this plan.

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* 1. What is your home zip code?

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* 2. The plan for permanent ferry service includes year-round,  weeknight and weekend service between downtown Tampa, downtown St. Petersburg and a new terminal in the Big Bend area in rapidly growing South Hillsborough County.

Weekday commuter service would also run between South County and MacDill, providing 8,000 military families with new, public transit options while taking tens of millions of miles off our congested roadways each year.   Other commuter routes would be developed as ferry demand grows.

This public transit service would run without local taxpayer operating subsidies.   It would be the only transit system in Florida that would not require such subsidies.

Public funds would only be used to buy four, new fast ferry vessels, docks, terminals and other needed infrastructure improvements. All facilities would be publicly owned.

The $35 million public investment in this infrastructure is less than the cost of widening one mile of county roadway or highway on-ramp. Permanent service can start within two years.

We'd like to know your opinion about this plan?

I strongly support it.

I somewhat support it.

I do not support it.

I have no opinion.

Please share any comments you have about this plan.

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* 3. We'd like to know which of these planned or potential future route options you would personally use and how often. In answering these questions, please assume there would be good connecting options between each terminal and major destinations within a mile or two of any terminal.

	I would use daily.	I would use one or twice a month.	I would use a couple of times a year.	I would never use this service option.
Weeknight or weekend service between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg	Weeknight or weekend service between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg I would use daily.	Weeknight or weekend service between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg I would use one or twice a month.	Weeknight or weekend service between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg I would use a couple of times a year.	Weeknight or weekend service between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg I would never use this service option.
Weekday commuter service from South County to downtown Tampa.	Weekday commuter service from South County to downtown Tampa. I would use daily.	Weekday commuter service from South County to downtown Tampa. I would use one or twice a month.	Weekday commuter service from South County to downtown Tampa. I would use a couple of times a year.	Weekday commuter service from South County to downtown Tampa. I would never use this service option.
Evening or weekend service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg.	Evening or weekend service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg. I would use daily.	Evening or weekend service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg. I would use one or twice a month.	Evening or weekend service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg. I would use a couple of times a year.	Evening or weekend service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg. I would never use this service option.
Weekday service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg.	Weekday service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg. I would use daily.	Weekday service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg. I would use one or twice a month.	Weekday service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg. I would use a couple of times a year.	Weekday service between Westshore and downtown St. Petersburg. I would never use this service option.

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Please rank the qualities of a passenger ferry service that are most important for you to make use of your preferred option. (PLEASE NOTE: 1 is the most important, 4 is the least important)

Time it takes for the trip

Cost of the trip

Frequency of service

Seamless connecting service to and from ferry terminals.

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* 5. Please rank the reasons why you would want to see permanent ferry service developed.

Though I might not use it, I believe ferry service would help reduce congestion on our roadways.

I would personally use ferry service to get around Tampa Bay.

I believe ferry service would promote tourism and positive growth and development.

I believe ferry service would make our region a more fun and livable place to live and work.

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* 6. Would you like to be kept informed about the plans for permanent ferry service and how you can help make them a reality.

No, but thank you.

Yes, I would like to help make permanent ferry service a reality. Here is my email address so you can follow up with me:

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* 7. Please share with us any other comments, suggestions or ideas you have about permanent ferry service for Tampa Bay. Please include your email if you would like us to respond to your comment or question.