Ferry Commission offers ideas to keep Mayport ferry going | News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Mayport Ferry is scheduled to shutdown in late September unless the city and state match JAXPORT's contribution to extend operations.

After that though, the Ferry Commission would be in charge to find ways to keep the operation afloat.

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The commission is offering a business plan that includes raising fares by a dollar in the coming years while working to increase vehicle traffic by 75,000 within five years.

"I think everybody will look back five years from now and say that was a great thing that we saved the ferry as part of our culture, our heritage, our history," said Councilman Bill Gulliford, who has been closely involved in developing a plan.

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Mayor Alvin Brown is committing $100,000 for the upcoming year while a feasibility study is completed. The state has not yet decided on what contribution it can make for next year.

The ferry currently operates more than $500,000 in the red. The commission believes a more manageable number is a $200,000 taxpayer subsidy.