Skyline of Boston and ships moored near the pier.
Skyline of Boston and ships moored near the pier. Image: Mobile Gnosis.

The Federal Transit Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed an incredible $384.4 million in federal funding from President Biden's Infrastructure Law to progress and enhance ferry service throughout America!

This investment will directly benefit millions of Americans residing near coasts, rivers, bays, and other bodies of water who rely on these waterways for connectivity to their communities - coast-to-coast from Alaska all the way down to Maryland! Plus this influx will speed up our nation's transition towards Net Zero transportation methods as well!

“With these grants, we are improving and expanding ferry service in the communities that rely on waterways the most—often in more rural, remote regions—connecting people to jobs, services, and city centers while cutting climate pollution,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.  

With these innovative funds, we can ensure a brighter future for generations to come by providing sustainable transportation solutions that will improve the quality of life for all.

These investments will help ensure that Americans have access to reliable, safe, and sustainable transportation options. The administration is committed to providing clean and affordable transportation for all Americans, and these grants will help move us closer to that goal. For engineers, this is good news as it means there will be opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects that can improve the lives of millions of people. If you're looking for a way to use your skills to make a real difference in the world, this could be your call to get to work!

The grants will provide funds for projects to modernize ferry services, reduce emissions, and connect rural communities. This includes everything from replacing aging vessels with new, more efficient models to investing in technologies that can make ferry trips cleaner and greener. The focus is on connecting rural areas to larger urban centers, allowing residents of these areas to access much-needed resources while also reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.

In addition to improving the environmental sustainability of coastal transportation systems across the country, these funds are helping create thousands of jobs and spurring economic development in coastal regions. Many small businesses rely on ferries as a critical part of their operations, and investments in modernizing them will help ensure they remain competitive in today's economy.

These grants are part of the administration's continued commitment to modernizing transportation systems, reducing emissions, and connecting rural communities. The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to providing all Americans with access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options. With these funds, we can make sure that better options for getting around our coasts are available for everyone.

Moreover, this investment in ferry services also complements other efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to reduce pollution from other forms of transport as well. These efforts include investing billions of dollars in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure – making it easier for people to switch away from gas-powered cars and contributing to a cleaner future. 

  • About the Author: Matt De Reno is a sustainability mobility engineering writer and publisher of Mobile Gnosis.