The fastest way for mainlanders to get to Anna Maria Island in 2023 might be to drive to downtown Bradenton.
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie shared email news during an Aug. 4 city meeting from Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau director Elliott Falcione: A possible vendor for a water taxi service has been identified.
“We are close to an agreement with a Florida-based water-taxi operator and hope to finalize a deal within the next 30 to 45 days,” Falcione wrote.
Local officials have discussed creating a water-taxi service to provide alternative transportation between the mainland and the island since before the pandemic.
Talks moved to action in March, when the county issued a request for bids for an operator. However, the request received no response by the March 30 deadline.
According to Falcione’s email, the taxi service would initially run 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday on the water from downtown Bradenton to the Anna Maria City Pier and the Historic Bridge Street Pier.
The water taxi would carry 35-45 passengers.
Details, such as trip fees, docking logistics and the approval process for the potential destinations are not set, but Chappie related that Falcione is hopeful the taxi could begin in 2023.