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Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program - IIJA § 71103

What's New

  • On September 16, 2024, FTA announced approximately $300 million in Fiscal Year 2024 project selections to 18 projects in 14 states to improve and expand ferry service in communities across the country to help people connect to jobs and opportunity.
     
    • Funding includes:
      • $56.3 million under the Passenger Ferry Grant Program to eight projects in seven states.
      • $194 million under the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program to four projects in two states.
      • $49 million under the Low or No Emitting Ferry Program to six projects in five states. 

Overview 

One of FTA’s three ferry programs, the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program provides competitive funding to states to ensure basic essential ferry service is provided to rural areas.

Eligible Recipients

States

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities include capital, planning, and operating assistance for a ferry service that operated a regular schedule at any time during the five-year period ending March 1, 2020 and served not less than two rural areas located more than 50 sailing miles apart. Funding is also available for ferry service that serves at least two rural areas with a single segment over 20 miles between two rural areas that is not otherwise eligible for funding under the Passenger Ferry Program.

Match

  • The maximum Federal share for capital and planning projects selected under the FY 2022 Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program is 80 percent of the net project cost. The maximum Federal share for operating projects selected under the FY 2022 Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program is 50 percent.
  • The maximum Federal share for capital projects selected under the FY 2023 Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program is 80 percent of the net project cost with some exceptions described in the NOFO.  The maximum Federal share for planning projects selected under the FY 2023 Rural Ferry Program is 80 percent.
  • There is no maximum Federal share for operating projects selected under the Rural Ferry Program for FY 2023.

Statutory Reference

IIJA § 71103

Selected Projects

Additional Resources

Last updated: Monday, March 17, 2025