$316 Million in Funding Announced to Modernize U.S. Ferries

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the availability of $316 million to support and modernize passenger ferry services across the country.

The funding, part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be allocated through various programs aimed at capital projects, purchasing low-emission ferries, and supporting ferry services in rural areas.

The initiative aims to improve transportation options, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the funding will help communities modernize their ferry service. “I have seen firsthand how, for many Americans in many different parts of the country, ferries are the best and sometimes only way to get where they need to go.”

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes the Passenger Ferry Program with $51 million for capital projects, the Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program with $49 million for purchasing low-emission ferries, and the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program with $216 million for supporting ferry services in rural areas for the fiscal year 2024.

Past grants have helped ferry service upgrades across the U.S., with $220.2 million announced for projects through ferry programs last year.

“Passenger ferries provide critical and cost-effective travel for people throughout the United States, but many ferry agencies are not able to maintain all of their vessels in a state of good repair and make necessary investments in safety,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool.

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