MAYPORT, Fla. – Many people who work in Amelia Island, Mayport or Fernandina Beach often take a ride on the St. Johns River Ferry, which connects State Road A1A and prevents drivers from having to drive about 20 miles out of the way just to cross the river.
But the ferry's days could be numbered.
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Residents say they certainly do not want to see the fixture in the Mayport community go, but JaxPort says it costs too much money to maintain and doesn't make sense to hold onto.
"We live in Fernandina, but we come across the bridge all the time," said Patricia Donald.
The ferry costs $5 for a one-way trip, a price that may seem steep to some but not those who depend on it to cross the river in about three minutes.
Donald said her family would have to drive about 45 miles out of the way if the ferry were discontinued.
"We'd spend a lot more gas money," she said.
But a much longer trip across the river may soon be a reality. JaxPort says running the ferry is depleting its funds. It says it has put $3 million into the ferry over the last four years, an investment with no return.
"Those dollars that we invest in the port return to the city and the community and north Florida in the form of jobs and opportunity," JaxPort spokeswoman Nancy Rubin said. "We can't really say the same for the ferry."
The ferry has been up and running since 1948. The state used to run it; then it was controlled by the city. Both bailed because of the high operation costs.
In 2007, JaxPort took over the ferry service from the city.
"Our board at the time said, 'Yes, we will, but please be aware that if it effects our ability to run our core business, which is cargo, we're going to come back to you and we're going to talk about it,'" Rubin said.
Last year, the ferry provided just more than 230,000 rides.
The Mayport ferry is in the JaxPort budget through 2012. After that, it technically goes back to the city, which will then have to decide what the fate of the ferry will be.