U.S. Department of Transportation announces $30 million funding opportunity for passenger ferry service

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the opportunity to apply for approximately $30 million in Fiscal Year 2017 competitive grant funding for passenger ferry projects nationwide. The Passenger Ferry Grant Program is authorized by Congress to support ferry service on many of the nation’s waterways, and help to repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities that communities depend on.

FTA will award competitive grants to states and public entities to repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals and related facilities and equipment, support existing ferry service and establish new passenger ferry service.

“Waterways define and shape the economies of many of our communities, and in these places, passenger ferry service is essential,” said FTA Executive Director Matthew Welbes. “Ferry services provide a crucial lifeline, and we must ensure that they are safe and dependable for the people who rely on them.”

Projects will be evaluated and selected based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, including the need for improvements, demonstration of benefits to transit service, and integration with local and regional long-term planning. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m., October 23, 2017.

Federal public transportation law (49 USC § 5307(h)), as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, authorizes FTA’s competitive Passenger Ferry Program through FY2020.

About The US Federal Transit Adminisration (FTA)

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries. FTA also oversees safety measures and helps develop next-generation technology research.

An agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), FTA is headed by an administrator appointed by the President of the United States. FTA is one of DOT’s 10 modes of transportation and is run by a headquarters in Washington, D.C. as well as 10 regional offices that assist transit agencies in all states and U.S. territories.