Anna Maria Islander: Captain floats water taxi proposal

Travelers in the coming years may reach Anna Maria Island shores the way early visitors arrived — via a ferry or water taxi.

At least one proposal for a shuttle service has been submitted at Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach city halls, and the issue is an agenda topic for Anna Maria commissioners meeting this week.

Capt. Tracey Dell of Anna Maria Island Shuttle Service has suggested two water taxi or water shuttle routes — one from Anna Maria to Fort DeSoto Park and Bay Pier in St. Petersburg and another from Anna Maria to Holmes Beach to Bradenton Beach.

A one-way fare on a shuttle would cost $5-$10, depending on the length of the trip and the route, according to Dell’s proposal letter to Island officials. A one-week pass would cost about $60.

The captain estimated the cost to operate a shuttle service at about $500 a day or $97,000 a year.

For the full article, visit the Anna Maria Islander.