US' FTA Announces $316 Million for Ferry Service Modernization

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

Ferry transit is a critical mode of transportation in many regions throughout the United States. Across the country, there are approximately 3 million ferry riders each month.

“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,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re pleased to make $316 million available to help communities modernize their ferry service so that Americans better, easier, more reliable options.”

In addition to FTA’s longstanding Passenger Ferry Program, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established more federal support for ferry service, including for ferry systems transitioning to climate-friendly technologies and to expand ferry service in rural areas. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announced today includes:

• The Passenger Ferry Program supports capital projects to buy, replace, or modernize passenger ferries, terminals and related equipment in urban areas. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, $51 million is available.
• The Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program provides federal support to transit agencies to buy ferry vessels that reduce emissions by using alternative fuels or on-board energy storage systems. For FY 2024, $49 million is available.
• The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program provides federal support to  ferry services in rural areas, including capital, planning and operating costs. For FY 2024, $216 million is available.

Complete proposals must be submitted by June 17, 2024.

“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. “FTA is pleased to provide federal support to help modernize and expand how people travel by water while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, advancing equity by making transit available to more people, and creating good-paying jobs.”

Past grants have helped transit authorities upgrade ferry service across the country, from Alaska to Maine, to Georgia and California. Last year, FTA announced $220.2 million in project selections through its ferry programs.