US Federal Transit Administration to allot US$220 million for modernisation of ferry services

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has confirmed the availability of US$220 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support or modernise passenger ferry service in rural and urban communities across the country.

Across the country, there are approximately three million ferry riders each month. Past grants have helped transit authorities upgrade ferry services in many states.

Two grant programs are included in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) the Passenger Ferry Program and the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program.

The Passenger Ferry Program supports capital projects to buy, replace, or modernise passenger ferries, terminals, and related equipment. For Fiscal Year 2023, US$50.1 million is available, of which US$5 million is set aside specifically for low- or zero-emission ferries and related facilities and equipment.

The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program is a competitive grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide funding to ensure essential ferry service in rural communities. The funding supports capital, planning, and operating assistance to support or expand ferry services in rural areas. For FY 2023, US$170 million is available.

Instructions for applying and eligibility information can be found on FTA’s website and in GRANTS.GOV (FTA-2023-007-TPM-PassFerry and FTA-2023-008-TPM-Rural Ferry). Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV “APPLY” function by July 17, 2023.

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