The FERRIES Act is a transportation bill that pumps billions of dollars into passenger ferry services across the country over the next five years. Think of it as a major investment to help communities—both urban and rural—improve their ferry systems, which are important transportation options for people who live near waterways.

The bill creates or expands three main grant programs. First, it funds the construction of new ferry boats and terminal facilities with $160-168 million per year from 2027 to 2031. Second, it provides $200 million annually for urban passenger ferry services in cities, helping them expand and improve ferry options for commuters. Third, it dedicates $300 million per year to rural ferry services, ensuring that smaller communities and less-populated areas can maintain basic ferry transportation—with at least 80% of those rural funds going to services that connect rural areas specifically.

There's also a special $140 million per year program focused on modernizing aging ferry fleets and creating shipyard jobs by supporting the construction of new, cleaner ferries. Overall, the bill appropriates about $3.5 billion total through 2031 to strengthen ferry infrastructure and service across America. The money comes from general federal funds and is meant to supplement—not replace—existing transportation funding.

To amend titles 23 and 49, United States Code, to codify and amend certain grant programs under which the Secretary of Transportation may issue grants for use in the provision of passenger ferry services, and for other purposes.