U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced $384.4 million in federal funding for ferry service modernization nationwide.
DOT's Federal Transit Administration awarded 23 grants in 11 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a Jan. 26 news release. The grants, among other things, will help pay for projects to replacement of old vessels, expand existing fleets and build new docks and terminals.
"With these grants, we are improving and expanding ferry service in the communities that rely on waterways the most – often in more rural, remote regions – connecting people to jobs, services and city centers while cutting climate pollution," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the news release.
The fund are coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand and improve the nation’s ferry services, so long as those projects also accelerate transition to zero emission forms of transportation, the release reported.
FTA has three competitive grant programs that work to modernize urban ferry systems, boost ferry service in rural areas and and lower emissions by encouraging adoption of zero-emission technology according to the release. The administration's Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program helps pay for ferry service in rural areas and has awarded $252.4 million in grants to eight projects in four states.
FTA's Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program helps pay for electric or low-emitting ferries and charging equipment with an eye toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and has awarded $97.6 million to seven projects in seven states, according to the release.
The administration's Passenger Ferry Grant Program provides funding to capital projects to establish new ferry service, as well has repair and modernize terminals, ferry vessels and facilities and equipment in urban areas, the release reported. This program has awarded $34.4 million to eight projects in six states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Today’s announcement represents a record amount of support for transit ferries in our country,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said in the release. “And thanks to the president’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for the first time ever, we are able to provide competitive grant funds for passenger ferry service in rural areas and help ferry operators reduce their climate impact.”
