The Cross-Bay Ferry hosted members of the Tampa Mayor’s Alliance for Persons with Disabilities and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities on board the ferry Tuesday to see how the ferry is accommodating those with disabilities and get feedback on improvements.
The ride preceded a joint meeting for the two organizations and represented another step in advancing the ferry as a long-term, accessible transportation option for travel across the bay, said Matt Miller, president, HMS Ferries, operator of the Cross-Bay Ferry.
The ferry is designed and operated to provide an accessible commuting option for people with disabilities and to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. During the hour-long ride, members of the Tampa Mayor’s Alliance for Persons with Disabilities and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities were able to experience the ferry’s onboard features and share feedback and perspectives to improve the ferry’s offerings.
“We welcome this ongoing collaboration with the Tampa Mayor’s Alliance for Persons with Disabilities and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities as we continue to enhance our services for people with disabilities – both now and as we work toward expanded, permanent ferry service across Tampa Bay,” said Miller. “These efforts ensure we continue to offer an accessible and enjoyable onboard experience for all, and the insights gained will be important for designing future permanent ferry service.”
“The members of the Tampa Mayor’s Alliance for Persons with Disabilities and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities strongly support developing permanent, 365-day-a-year ferry service for our community,” said Ben Ritter, chairman of the Tampa mayor’s alliance.
“Members of both alliances enjoyed using the Cross-Bay Ferry service,” he said. “We anticipate that permanent year-round ferry service will be a tremendous option for providing regional mobility access to our residents and visitors who use wheelchairs and to those who are unable to drive. Additionally, it makes common and economic sense to provide Cross-Bay Ferry transportation service from Apollo Beach to MacDill Air Force Base for MacDill employees.”
