Sponsors (6)
The bill expands federal support and funding eligibility to grow ferry service and attract private investment—improving mobility and capacity—while raising risks of higher rider fares, public subsidies to private operators, diminished public control, and potential administrative discretion or delays.
Residents and travelers in connected regions (rural and urban communities) will gain more ferry connections (cars and/or passenger-only), improving mobility and potentially reducing road congestion on connecting routes.
State and local governments and ferry operators (including private firms) can access federal funds and Surface Transportation Block Grant eligibility to build or buy ferries and terminals, increasing service capacity and funding options.
Private ferry operators and transportation workers may benefit from authorized fare-setting that allows operators to cover costs and retain a reasonable return, encouraging private investment and more sustainable operations.
Regular ferry riders (including commuters and travelers in rural and urban areas) may face higher fares because private operators are permitted to raise prices to cover costs and a permitted rate of return.
State and local governments and community users could lose public control over service levels, fares, or access when privately owned ferries operate routes previously run as public services.
Taxpayers may effectively subsidize private businesses because federal funds would support privately owned ferries, raising concerns about use of public dollars for private profit.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Permits federal funding for privately or majority‑privately owned interstate ferries and terminals if the Secretary finds public benefit, and allows fares that cover costs plus a reasonable return.
Introduced April 6, 2026 by Nicholas LaLota · Last progress April 6, 2026
Allows privately owned and majority‑privately owned interstate ferries and their terminal facilities to receive federal participation for construction or purchase when the Secretary of Transportation finds they provide substantial public benefits or meet surface transportation needs. Permits these privately owned ferries to charge fares that cover costs, debt service, negotiated management fees, and a Secretary‑approved reasonable rate of return; most revenue must be applied to operating or capital costs while a retained reasonable return may be kept by the private owner. Also updates other highway program language to include these terminal facilities in surface transportation block grant eligibility and broadens an entities definition; eligibility for one affected program is delayed until one year after enactment.