Feds Pump Millions Into Bay Area Ferry Services For Upkeep And Upgrades

Bay Area ferry operators who will be receiving federal funds announced last week that the money will be allocated to maintain and improve service. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Aug. 12 that over $175 million in funding under the Federal Highway Administration’s Ferry Boat Program would be allocated to 35 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority, which operates San Francisco Bay Ferry, and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, which runs Golden Gate Ferry, are two local recipients of these federal dollars. “We make life easier when we make the transportation of people and products smoother,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. According to the department, the funding is eligible to construct and operate ferry boats, ferry terminals, and ferry maintenance facilities. The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District received just over $800,000 that will be used for their services. The SF Bay Ferry will have $1.97 million allocated to them, which director of operations and customer service Thomas Hall said will contribute to their regular operations, maintenance, and improvements.