The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making $657 million available for projects to improve ferry services and infrastructure nationwide.
According to the FTA, many ferry vessels and terminals are in poor condition, with the average age of the fleet being around 33 years old. The FTA provides funding to repair and replace these outdated assets to ensure safety.
Additionally, the FTA is pushing for the adoption of low- or zero-emission technology, using federal grants to help agencies transition from diesel to electric ferries and install necessary charging infrastructure.
Applications must be submitted by May 11.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has outlined the following criteria for project selection:
- Benefits for Families — How a project will make ferry travel more family-friendly and improve access to jobs, doctor’s offices, and leisure activities.
- Safety — 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.
- Wayfinding Improvements — How a project will make real-time information in passenger waiting areas easier to read by using large print and simplified language.
Grants will be awarded in three categories. Available funding includes:
- $105 million for the FY 2026 Passenger Ferry Program.
- $98 million for the Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program.
- $454 million for the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program.
Photo by Brian Cook from Pexels
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