Proposed Freedom Transit Ferry

What We Know So Far

Freedom Transit has not provided a business plan, operational plan, traffic or safety analysis, or environmental review. Here is the information we do have:

• Two public Facebook posts from August outlining a proposed ferry concept.
• Meeting notes from a recent WCIND meeting where a long-term lease for an on-island ferry landing at 100 Kettle Harbor Drive was discussed (Meeting Agenda)
• The formation of FREEDOM TRANSIT CORP. as a for-profit LLC
• PIE has reached our the Freedom Transit about participating in a town hall style meeting with islanders.

What Palm Island Estates (PIE) Is Doing

PIE is requesting a pause on any action related to the proposed Freedom Transit ferry from both the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) and Charlotte Country Commissioners. If you would like to read that letter and view the related attachments, it is available here >

While PIE is not taking a position for or against a second ferry service at this time:

• We feel island residents have not been provided sufficient information to determine whether a second ferry service is desired or in the community’s best interest.
• We are opposed to moving forward without transparency, community engagement, and a complete business and operational plan shared with island residents.
• We believe the proposed location for a ferry landing at 100 Kettle Harbor Drive is fundamentally inappropriate due to:
  • Its immediate proximity to homes
  • Inadequate on-site capacity that could force vehicles onto the road
  • Serious traffic safety risks at a narrow, blind corner on Kettle Harbor Drive

What You Can Do:

Island residents are encouraged to express concerns about the proposed ferry landing or the proposal moving forward without adequate information.

Attend the upcoming WCIND meeting
The proposed lease is expected to be discussed January 23rd at 10am at the Venice Police Station located at 1575 E. Venice Avenue, Venice, FL.

Write the WCIND Commissioners

1. Christopher Constance – Chris.Constance@CharlotteCountyFL.gov
2. Ron Cutsinger – rcutsinger@scgov.net
3. Jason Bearden – jason.bearden@mymanatee.org
4. Kevin Ruane – dist1@leegov.com

Copy and paste this list for your email program:
Chris.Constance@CharlotteCountyFL.gov, rcutsinger@scgov.net, jason.bearden@mymanatee.org, dist1@leegov.com