(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, introduced the Ferry Service Expansion Act to invest in Washington state’s ferries, improve service, and replace older vessels with newer clean energy models. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-3).
“Ferries are both a critical part of our transportation system and a way of life in Washington state,” said Senator Murray. “The Ferry Service Expansion Act will make sure the ferries in Washington state are getting the same kind of federal investment that other types of infrastructure are getting. This legislation would lower costs for riders, modernize our fleet of ferries with low emission vehicles, and ensure that the next generation can enjoy this iconic part of our state.”
The Ferry Service Expansion Act was drafted in consultation with the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the Public Ferries Coalition, and will:
- Increase funding for the FHWA Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities Grant Program
- Increase funding for the FTA’s passenger ferry grant program
- Make permanent the 85% cost share for the replacement or retrofit of diesel powered facilities that substantially reduce emissions
- Clarify that grantmaking under the Rural Ferry Program and the Electric-Low Emitting Ferry Pilot programs are subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage and “Buy America” requirements
- Provide the $1.25 billion for passenger ferry grants to urbanized areas, correcting the last minute accidental omission from the infrastructure bill last year
Senator Murray has been a longstanding champion of ferries and improving public transportation across Washington state. Senator Murray secured $168 million in funding for Washington state ferries in the American Rescue Plan, in addition to $2.9 million to make major upgrades to services. State and regional transit organizations have also received vital aid through the American Rescue Plan, including more than $30 million for Kitsap Transit, to assist in keeping our public transportation, especially ferries, operational. Senator Murray was also instrumental in passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which made the single greatest investment in public transportation in the country’s history, including $2.5 billion for ferries and ferry electrification and more than $17 billion for port and waterway infrastructure. Senator Murray was a leader in securing federal dollars to electrify and modernize Washington state’s ferry systems, as well as enhance the states’ ports, resulting in less pollution and congestion, and shorter commutes for Washington state families. In addition to funding for ferries, ports, and waterways, Washington state is set to receive at least $4.7 billion in highway funding, $605 million for bridge replacement and repairs, $1.79 billion for public transportation, and $71 million to support the expansion of an electric vehicle charging network in the state in formula based grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law alone.
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