Passenger Ferry Program

The Passenger Ferry Grant Program provides competitive funding to support capital projects of public ferry systems in urbanized areas. This includes new or replacement ferry vehicles, rehabilitation of existing ferries and improvements to ferry term

The Passenger Ferry Grant Program is a competitive federal funding initiative administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under 49 U.S.C. § 5307(h). Its primary purpose is to support capital projects of passenger ferry systems that operate in urbanized areas as part of the public transportation network. Through this program, FTA provides grants for the purchase, construction, or rehabilitation of ferry boats, terminals, and related infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient ferry service. This program serves public transit agencies and local governments that operate passenger ferries within Urbanized Areas (UZAs), defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as areas with populations of 50,000 or more. These ferry systems are essential components of regional mobility, often helping to alleviate roadway congestion, provide critical transportation alternatives across bodies of water, and support economic activity in coastal or waterfront communities.

For the Passenger Ferry Program, eligible applicants are designated recipients or direct recipients of FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Grants, as well as public entities engaged in providing public transportation passenger ferry service in urban areas that are eligible to be direct recipients.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.Gov. A complete proposal submission for each program consists of two forms: the SF-424 Application For Federal Assistance and the supplemental form for each program. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.Gov. A complete proposal submission for each program consists of two forms: the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and the supplemental form for each program. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Passenger Ferry Funding may be used for capital projects that support public transportation ferry systems located in urbanized areas. Eligible uses include the acquisition, construction, and improvement of passenger ferry vessels; the rehabilitation or replacement of aging ferryboats; and the development, upgrade, or expansion of ferry terminals and related shoreside infrastructure. Funds may also support the installation of safety equipment, ADA accessibility improvements, and projects that improve system reliability and passenger service.

Funding is available annually through the grant programs authorization period. For this grant program, the period of performance is the year of allocation plus 5 years. Funds must be spent within period, extensions possible with approval. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: FTA grant awardees incur eligible project costs first, then submit reimbursement requests to FTA through their regional office or FTA's grant management system (TrAMS). FTA reviews and approves these requests before releasing funds. Many recipients draw down funds as needed to cover approved expenses, rather than receiving large advances. Drawdowns are usually done monthly or quarterly, depending on the recipient's cash flow needs and the pace of project spending. Recipients must submit regular financial and progress reports before subsequent reimbursements are made.

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window)(opens in new window). 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov. The NOFO outlines the eligibility, application requirements, evaluation criteria, deadlines and funding priorities. • A complete proposal submission consists of two forms: SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and the supplemental form for the competitive program. •Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.Gov. Application may attach additional supporting information to the SF-424 submission. Project proposal must be submitted electronically through Grants.Gov by the due date. • Recipients selected for funding submits grant application into TrAMS to obligate funds.

Projects will be evaluated primarily on the responses provided in the application supplemental form. Projects proposals are evaluated based on the criteria described in the notice of funding opportunity.

After the technical evaluation, projects recommended for funding are presented to senior management for review. The FTA Administrator will determine the final selection of projects for program funding. Final project selections are posting on the FTA website along with any implementation guidance.