The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $316 million to support and modernize passenger ferry service in communities across the country. Across the country, there are approximately three million ferry riders each month, utilizing these transit services to get to work, school, healthcare appointments, and more.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes:

• The Passenger Ferry Program supports capital projects to buy, replace, or modernize passenger ferries, terminals, and related equipment. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, $51 million is available. (FTA-2024-007-TPM-PassFerry)

• The Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program 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, $49 million is available for grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). (FTA-2024-008-TPM-Electric)

• The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program provides federal support to initiate or expand ferry services in rural areas, including capital, planning, and operating costs. For FY 2024, $216 million is available for grants under BIL. (FTA-2024-009-TPM-Rural Ferry)