Sponsors (2)
The bill increases federal support and funding eligibility to expand interstate ferry service and attract private investment, boosting mobility and capacity while risking higher fares, public subsidies to private firms, reduced local control, and administrative uncertainty.
State and local governments, small businesses, and ferry users will gain access to federal funds to build or buy ferries and terminals, increasing service capacity and options for interstate ferry travel.
Rural and urban communities will likely see more ferry connections (car and passenger-only), improving local mobility and potentially reducing road congestion on connecting routes.
Small private ferry operators and transportation workers may benefit because authorized fare-setting that allows cost recovery and a reasonable return can encourage private investment and help sustain service operations.
Taxpayers and ferry riders (including rural and urban communities) may face higher travel costs because private operators could raise fares to cover costs and the permitted rate of return.
Taxpayers could effectively subsidize private businesses because federal funds can support privately owned ferries, raising concerns about public money going to private profit.
State and local governments and communities may lose public control over service levels, fares, or access when private ownership is allowed, reducing local oversight and accountability.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Permits privately or majority-privately owned interstate ferries and terminals to receive federal participation for construction/purchase, with Secretary oversight and allowable fares that include 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, purchase, and related support when the Transportation Secretary finds they provide substantial public benefits or meet surface transportation needs. Permits those private ferry operators to charge fares that cover costs, debt service, negotiated management fees, and a Secretary‑approved reasonable return, and makes related edits to eligibility language for surface transportation block grant programs; private-ownership eligibility becomes effective one year after enactment.