Today, Tampa attorney and public transportation advocate Ed Turanchik along with officials from the Seattle based HMS Ferries laid out their vision of a public-private partnership to initiate Tampa Bay's first commuter, recreational and tourist passenger ferry service. The idea came from studies showing that thousands of commuters who live in South Hillsborough County and drive to MacDill Air Force Base on a daily basis would take a ferry service if it was an option. They presented the plan to an audience at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, and followed up with presentations in St. Petersburg and Apollo Beach.
Turanchik said his law firm — Ackerman Senterfitt — decided to get involved after the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) conducted two studies that proved Tampa Bay area citizens had substantial interest in the idea. Turanchik added that a ferry could transform the community and offer a "Wow! factor" (a comment that was repeated by public figures like Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn).
"We have a high level of confidence," said Greg Dronkert, the president of the Seattle-based company, on the chances of success. Dronkert said even though the population density is as strong as his group prefers, there is also a "captured market" of riders — a large group of people who would exploit the opportunity to stop driving and take the ferry to work.
