Cross-bay ferry no more, for now

ST. PETERSBURG/TAMPA (FOX 13) - A unique way to get from Tampa to St. Pete will be no more. The cross-bay ferry will not return after this year.

St. Pete's mayor says the main reason is the dock will be under construction for the new pier.

Last year, the ferry was very popular and was estimated to bring $1.2 million to businesses in both cities.

St. Pete, Tampa, Pinellas, and Hillsborough all went in on the project last year and they actually got some money back from it. 

Mayor Kriseman says pier construction and lack of grant funding is also to blame for it not returning. 

"How are we going to pay for it?" Kriseman asked. "It was way too popular."

Kriseman says the ferry was so successful last year, he's hoping the private sector will step up to fund the project in 2018.