TRANSPORTATION JOBS BILL: Murray Secures Major Victory for Washington State Ferry System

Amendment to Senate-passed transportation legislation would double authorized federal ferry investments; benefit Washington State Ferries

 Murray also fought to include provisions to increase funding for Washington state’s transit agencies

 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century (MAP-21) would support approximately 33,700 Washington state jobs

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee announced she has included several amendments in the bipartisan Senate surface transportation reauthorization bill that would boost Washington transportation and job growth. The legislation would double the level of funding authorized for ferry transportation and create a team within the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that would consolidate federal ferry activities across FHWA, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies.

“As a frequent ferry patron and Senator representing the most extensive ferry system in the United States, I know Washington state’s ferries are a critical part of our nation’s transportation infrastructure,” said Senator Murray. “This bipartisan legislation will help rebuild America’s roads and bridges, modernize our transit systems, and create or save almost three million good-paying jobs across the country. I was proud to include provisions today that will reap big rewards for Washington commuters, manufacturers, and the economy.” 

The following provisions, championed by Senator Murray, were also included:

• Authorization for ferries to compete for FTA’s Clean Fuels grant program, allowing Washington State Ferries to access federal funding for clean fuel propulsion systems
• Creation of $75 million FTA discretionary transit account for the Bus and Bus Related Equipment and Facilities program, allowing transit agencies in Washington state to compete for funds
• Preservation of federal funding for Bus Rapid Transit systems in WA through the FTA’s Small Starts program