The Federal Transit Administration recently awarded nearly $11.3 million to two New Jersey ferry services through the Passenger Ferry Grant Program.
“Ferry service is a critical component of the transportation network in New Jersey,” said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, New Jersey Department of Transportation commissioner and NJ Transit Board chairwoman. “This funding will help set the stage for a sustainable and environmentally friendly ferry system of the future.”
The NJ Transit/NY Waterway received $7.3 million to convert the propulsion systems of four older ferry vessels from traditionally diesel-driven units to hybrid technology. The goal is to eventually operate them on pure electric power.
Workers would remove all main engines and generators and replace them with two electric driven propulsion motors, a battery bank of 150 kilowatt hours, and two smaller emergency generators. The converted vessels have an expected useful life of 10 years.
Monmouth County received $4 million to repair and improve the Belford Ferry Terminal in Middletown. Funding will be used to keep the facility in good condition and to repair dockside infrastructure so passengers can safely board and disembark.
The Belford Ferry Terminal provides passenger ferry service from Middletown to New York City. It carried 1,300 daily passengers before the COVID-19 pandemic.