Staten Island Ferry receives $1M federal grant to improve service reliability

The Staten Island Ferry has received an infusion of federal funding for a project aimed at improving service reliability and air quality for commuters.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that more than $45 million in grants have been awarded through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Passenger Ferry Grant Program, including a $1 million grant awarded to the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), which will be used on the Staten Island Ferry.

“Passenger ferries offer travelers and commuters in many American communities a safe, efficient, climate-friendly way to get where they need to be,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, new funding will bring needed improvements to ferry services in America, particularly in rural communities, and help passenger ferries reduce their emissions.”

The Passenger Ferry Grant Program funds projects to establish new ferry services, support existing services, like the Staten Island Ferry, and make upgrades to boats, terminals and other related equipment and facilities.

“Passenger ferries are a critical form of public transportation in the United States, allowing commuters and others to get to work, school and medical appointments,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “Funding through the Passenger Ferry grant program ensures this infrastructure remains safe and dependable for people all over the country.”

The DOT will use the new funding to purchase and install electric batteries on the Staten Island Ferry fleet, a project that’s expected to bolster reliability and improve air quality, according to the FTA.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) praised the recent funding allocation, referencing the crucial role that the Staten Island Ferry plays in connecting the borough to the rest of New York City.

“With over 70,000 riders per day and 22 million riders per year, our ferry system provides commuters and visitors with a free alternative to travel by bus, car, or subway,” Malliotakis said, citing pre-pandemic ridership data.

“I’m pleased to see federal dollars return to New York City to support critical upgrades that will modernize our ferry vessels and, in turn, provide more reliable and efficient service for our community. By making necessary investments in our existing fleet, we maximize the longevity of these boats and save money in the long run,” she added.