Federal Transit Administration Seeks Ferry Grant Recipients
Ferry operators have until May 11 to apply for federal grant funds.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced April 6 that investments of $657 million to improve America’s ferry infrastructure are available. The funds will come from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
“According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ most recent figures, the 2019 ferry fleet consisted of 756 vessels, of which 94 percent were reported as in-service. Out of the vessel count, 13 are utilized by two different ferry operations, leaving 743 unique vessels. The largest number of in-service vessels reported by state are 92 and 75 vessels, reported by New York and Massachusetts, respectively.
FTA’s ferry grant programs help modernize terminal infrastructure, launch new ferry routes and fund new ferries.
Selection criteria include an emphasis on how a project will make ferry travel more family-friendly and improve access to jobs, doctor’s offices and leisure activities.
USDOT) also is interested in how a project will improve the accessibility of transportation for families with young children, including those with strollers, and increase accessibility for people with disabilities, including persons with intellectual, developmental, sensory or mobility disabilities. Projects that make real-time information in passenger waiting areas easier to read by using large print and simplified language are also encouraged.
The funding is divided into three chunks. The Passenger Ferry Program ($105 million) focuses on capital projects for passenger ferries in urbanized areas. The Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program ($98 million) funds the purchase of electric/low-emitting vessels and related infrastructure. The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program ($454 million) supports ferry systems in rural areas with, for example, operating assistance and capital projects.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity is available in the Federal Register and outlines the application criteria. Applicants are encouraged to submit eligible projects as soon as possible, although they will continue to be accepted through the May 11 deadline.
