US Transport Department confirms new funding round for ferry services’ modernisation

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has confirmed  the availability of US$316 million to support and modernise passenger ferry services in communities across the United States.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the funding will help communities modernise their ferry service so that users have access to more reliable options.

In addition to the FTA’s longstanding Passenger Ferry Program, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established more federal support for ferry service, including for ferry systems transitioning to climate-friendly technologies and to expand ferry service in rural areas. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announced earlier this week includes:

• The Passenger Ferry Program, which supports capital projects to buy, replace, or modernise passenger ferries, terminals, and related equipment in urban areas. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, US$51 million is available.
• The Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program, which provides federal support to transit agencies to buy ferry vessels that reduce emissions by using alternative fuels or on-board energy storage systems. For FY 2024, US$49 million is available.
• The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, which provides federal support to ferry services in rural areas, including capital, planning, and operating costs. For FY 2024, US$216 million is available.

Instructions for applying and eligibility information can be found on the FTA’s website and in GRANTS.GOV (FTA-2024-007-TPM-PassFerry), (FTA-2024-009-TPM-Rural Ferry) and (FTA-2024-008-TPM-FERRYPILOT). Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV “APPLY” function by June 17, 2024.