$220 Million in Federal Funds Available for Passenger Ferry Projects

About $220 million in grant funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is now available for projects that seek to help or upgrade passenger ferry service throughout the nation, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced May 18.

About $50.1 million is available in FY 2023 through the Passenger Ferry Program, which funds projects to purchase, replace, or update passenger ferries, terminals and equipment. About $5 million is dedicated to low- or zero-emission ferries and related facilities/equipment, according to the FTA.

“Passenger ferries provide critical and cost-effective travel for people throughout the United States, but they currently face a backlog of … good repair and safety investments,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “This funding will modernize and expand transit systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance equity by making transit available to more people, while maintaining and creating good-paying jobs.”

About $170 million is up for grabs in FY 2023 through the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, which funds efforts to help or broaden ferry services in rural areas.

“For many Americans, ferries are the best way (to) get to work, go to school, or reach a hospital, particularly in island communities and Alaska Native villages,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “Everyone ought to have access to affordable, reliable transportation options and … we are taking an important step to improve ferry service across the country.”

To apply or learn about grant eligibility, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=348203 for passenger ferry program or https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=348200 for the rural ferry program. Proposals must be submitted through grants.gov by July 17.