What's New

• On April 6, 2026, FTA announced $657 million is available for Fiscal Year 2026 funding to improve and expand ferry service in communities across the country to help people connect to jobs and opportunity. View the notice of funding opportunity.
  • For Fiscal Year 2026, $454 million is available under the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program.

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 15 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 Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program is 80 percent of the net project cost.
• There is no maximum Federal share for operating projects selected under the Rural Ferry Program. However, applicants must meet a maintenance of effort requirement described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Statutory Reference

IIJA § 71103

Selected Projects

• 2024
• 2023
• 2022

Additional Resources

• Ferry Service for Rural Communities Fact Sheet
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law