FERRIES: Senators Murray, Murkowski, Cantwell, Begich and Representative Larsen Introduce Legislation to Improve U.S. Ferry Systems

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray
(D-WA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Mark Begich (D-AK), and
Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA 2^nd), introduced a bi-partisan bill
in both houses of Congress to improve and expand federal investment in ferries,
a vital part of America’s transportation system. More than 100 million
passengers take ferries every year in at least 38 states, often between work
and home. The transportation services offered by ferries are critical to
communities across the country, and their regional economies. However,
according to the Department of Transportation, one fourth of ferry systems are
40 years or older and five percent are 60 years or older. The U.S. Ferry
Systems Investment Act works to improve this aging fleet, and the ferry
infrastructure as a whole.

“Many residents in my home state of Washington depend
on ferries to bring them to work and back home safely to their families, so
they know the importance of a strong ferry system,” said Senator Murray.
“This bill will create jobs, promote economic growth, and make the necessary
investments in our infrastructure to improve the safety, efficiency, and
reliability of our ferry systems.”

“In Alaska, our ferry system is not an alternative
route – it’s a primary method of transportation,” said Murkowski. “The
Alaska Marine Highway system totals more miles than the distance from Seattle
to Miami. This bill is an economic engine and improves our way of life, from
Dutch Harbor to Metlakatla.”

“The Puget Sound ferry system is key to
Washingtonians’ daily lives and to our regional economy,” Senator Maria
Cantwell said. “The Washington state ferry system is the largest in the
country, carrying more than 22 million passengers last year. This bill would
invest in modernizing the fleet, boosting the local economy and ensuring the
system remains an integral part of Washington state’s transportation
infrastructure for years to come.”

“Every
day the Alaska Marine Highway System keeps Alaska’s coastal communities
connected by turning waterways into roads,” said Senator Begich. “It’s not uncommon
for an Alaskan in the Aleutians or Southeast to always have next week’s ferry
schedule memorized as ferries help families stay connected and serve vital
business purposes. Improving our ferry systems will create jobs, grow commerce
and keep Alaskans on the move.”

“Ferries
are a critical part of keeping the economy in Washington state moving as they
carry commerce and commuters around the region,” said Rep.
Larsen. “Washington State Ferries is the
largest ferry system in the country and carries over 25 million riders
annually.  We must invest
in our ferry system to create good jobs, promote long-term economic growth and
help ensure that the folks who rely on ferries to get to work are traveling
safely and efficiently.”

The
Act would invest $200 million a year in funding for ferry systems across the
country starting in Fiscal Year 2012, and running through Fiscal Year 2018.

The
funding would be divided into two parts. Half of the money ($100 million a
year) would be distributed according to a formula that takes into account
straightforward factors such as how many passengers use the ferry system each
year, how many vehicles are carried, and how many total miles the routes
contain.  The other half ($100 million a year) would be distributed at the
discretion of the Secretary of Transportation using a competitive process.

In
addition to the funding changes, the bill also includes the following
additional ways to strengthen ferry systems across the country:

• Makes
  ferry systems eligible to compete for funding under the Clean Fuels Grant
  Program.
• Establishes
  a Ferry Joint Program Office within U.S. DOT to coordinate federal programs
  (DHS, etc.) affecting ferry and ferry facility construction, maintenance,
  operations and security, and to promote ferry transportation as a component of
  the U.S. transportation system. 
• Requires
  U.S. DOT to ensure the National Ferry Database is consistent with the database
  maintained by the Federal Transit Administration.
• Authorizes
  funding to establish a National Ferry Transportation Institute at a college or
  university. The institute is directed to conduct research, training, and
  develop models and recommendations to improve the operation and safety of ferry
  systems in the U.S.