US federal funding earmarked for ferry services’ modernisation

The US government, through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is making nearly US$300 million in funding available through three competitive grant programs that boost access to rural ferry service, bolster existing and new urban service, and lower emissions across all services by speeding adoption of zero emission ferry technologies.

The three grant programs, available through a combined Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), include:

• FTA's Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, a new program that provides competitive funding to states to ensure basic essential ferry service is provided to rural areas. For Fiscal Year 2022, US$209 million is available.
• FTA's Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program, a new program that provides competitive funding for electric or low-emitting ferries and associated infrastructure that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using alternative fuels or on-board energy storage systems. For FY 2022, US$49 million is available.
• FTA's Passenger Ferry Grant Program, which funds capital projects that support existing passenger ferry service, establish new ferry service, and repair and modernise ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment in urbanised areas. For FY 2022, US$36.5 million is available and of that, UA$3.25 million is set aside to support low or zero-emission ferries.

The funding is made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed into by President Joe Biden in November 2021.

Instructions for applying and eligibility information can be found on FTA's website and in GRANTS.GOV (FTA-2022-006-TPM-FERRY, FTA-2022-007-TPM-FERRYPILOT and FTA-2022-008-TPM-FERRYRURAL). Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV "APPLY" function by September 6, 2022.

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