Updated Tuesday, June 23:
Gov. Rick Scott has vetoed $1 million for the St. Johns River Ferry.
The Mayport Ferry would have spent the money on badly needed renovations.
The St. Johns River splits State Road A1A near Mayport. Since 1948, the Mayport Ferry has allowed people to cross the river there.
Elaine Brown, former Save the Ferry chair and current city ferry commissioner, says the money would have been used to repair passenger-loading areas and to maintain the ferry.
“Most of this is to guarantee that the boats stay in prime condition,” Brown said.
Brown says the ferry is an integral part of tourism in Florida, allowing visitors to shoot straight down to St. Augustine without going on Interstate 95 or I-295.
Brown said, “The Mayport ferry is just part of the scenic and heritage portion of our lifestyle here in North Florida.”
The voyage is less than a mile, and the ferry offers rides to passengers and their vehicles every 30 minutes.
