FTA Announces $316 Million for Ferries

4/19/2024

FTA has announced the availability of $316 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support and modernize passenger ferry service in rural and urban communities. Three Ferry Grant Programs are included in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): the Passenger Ferry Program, the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, and the Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program.

“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.”

  • The Passenger Ferry Program supports capital projects to buy, replace, or modernize passenger ferries, terminals, and related equipment. For FY24, $51 million is available.
  • The Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program provides federal support to agencies to buy ferry vessels that reduce emissions by using alternative fuels or on-board energy storage systems. $49 million is available.
  • The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program is a competitive grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure essential ferry service in rural communities. The program provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to support or expand ferry services in rural areas. $216 million is available.

“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.”

The deadline to complete proposals is June 17.

FTA will host a webinar (passcode 638376) May 2 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern to discuss the requirements for funding, application eligibility and criteria, and the submission process. The webinar will include an opportunity to ask questions.