On Friday, the Biden administration announced it would provide historic levels of funding to improve and expand ferry service in communities across the country, with a focus on rural service and ferry electrification.
Part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Federal Transit Administration will make available nearly $300 million through three competitive grant programs to boost access to rural ferry service, bolster existing and new urban service and lower emissions across all services by speeding up zero emission ferry technology adoption.
“Ferry service can be as important to everyday life as a highway or railway for many people across the country, whether in a small Alaskan community or a large metropolitan area,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this historic funding will bring ferry service to more Americans and make it safer and cleaner through modern, electric ferries.”
The three grant programs include $209 million for the FTA’s Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program; $49 million for FTA’s Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program; and $36.5 million for FTA’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program.
“This record amount of funding made possible by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help provide more reliable and efficient travel for those who commute by ferry,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “Today’s announcement will help improve people’s daily lives, especially in rural communities where ferry service has been hard to come by.”
Grant proposals must be completed and submitted electronically through the grants.gov website by Sept. 6, 2022. More information about the grant programs and grant eligibility requirements can be found on the FTA’s website.