Hubbard’s Ferry, a Hubbard’s Marina Enterprise, to be Awarded PSTA Cross Bay Ferry Operations Contract
Hubbard’s Ferry currently operates ferry service to Egmont Key and Shell Key
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tara Hubbard
727-420-9480
taralynnhubbard@gmail.com
Hubbard’s Ferry, a Hubbard’s Marina Enterprise, to be Awarded PSTA Cross Bay Ferry Operations Contract
Hubbard’s Ferry currently operates ferry service to Egmont Key and Shell Key
(Madeira Beach, FL) September 26, 2025 – The Hubbard family, renowned as the premier provider of on-water entertainment and fishing in the Bay Area, is proud to announce that Hubbard’s Ferry has been selected as the new PSTA partner and future operator of the Cross Bay Ferry, with service beginning in 2026.
In August, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a new operator for a permanent ferry service between St. Petersburg and Tampa. With a federal grant secured to purchase new vessels, PSTA is launching enhanced, year-round service in partnership with Hubbard’s Ferry. The expanded ferry system will provide a convenient alternative to road traffic, strengthen regional connectivity, and establish a more seamless water transportation network for Tampa Bay.
Hubbard’s Ferry brings deep operational expertise and nearly a century of earned trust on Tampa Bay waters. “We are honored to be chosen for this exciting partnership opportunity,” said Tara Hubbard, CEO of Hubbard’s Ferry. “Our family has dedicated four generations to connecting people with the water, and this partnership allows us to expand that mission in a way that will benefit residents, commuters, and visitors across the region. We are committed to delivering a safe, reliable, and enjoyable service that the community can utilize and enjoy.”
About Hubbard’s Ferry: Hubbard’s Ferry continues a family tradition of connecting communities by water—a legacy that began in the 1930s when Capt. Wilson Hubbard first ferried passengers from Pass-a-Grille’s historic Eighth Avenue pier around South Tampa Bay. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, Hubbard’s Ferry operates public routes to Egmont Key, Shell Key, and—soon—across Tampa Bay, while championing the growth of waterborne transit throughout the region.
From humble beginnings with rowboats and cane poles to today’s modern fleet—including vessels built by Hub’s Marine Fabrication, the family’s in-house boatbuilding company—Hubbard’s Ferry carries forward nearly a century of waterborne safe and fun experiences with innovation, craftsmanship, and commitment to the region’s waterways.
Hubbard’s Enterprise Ecosystem: The Hubbard’s Enterprise Ecosystem is a fourth-generation family of businesses rooted in a legacy of life on the water in Tampa Bay. From Hubbard’s Marina, the region’s premier destination for fishing and cruises, to Hubbard’s Ferry, connecting communities across the bay, the family has spent nearly a century building a vibrant maritime network.
Today, the ecosystem includes Hubbard’s Sea Adventures, Hub’s Marine Fabrication, the iconic Friendly Fisherman Seafood Restaurant, and Hub’s Ranch & Grove (home to Wonderfield Farm)—extending the family’s values into tourism, vessel innovation, food, and regenerative agriculture. Unified by a deep respect for place, the Hubbard’s Enterprise Ecosystem continues to grow with a vision for resilient, community-driven services that honor its storied past while shaping a regenerative future.