Dyani Chapman
State Director, Alaska Environment Research & Policy Center
907-206-7941
[email protected]
STATEMENT: Federal Transit Administration awards $316 million to modernize passenger ferries
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Federal Transit Administration awarded $316 million to modernize passenger ferries on Wednesday. Over $200 million will be available to rural communities, $49 million will go toward electrification, and $51 million will go toward a modernization period.
Ferries are essential to transportation throughout southern Alaska. The Alaska Marine Highway extends over 3500 miles, and the ferries serve over 30 communities. There are numerous docks and ferries in need of repair, improvement, or even replacement. For rural communities, travel on water is often the most efficient and therefore environmentally responsible form of long distance travel. A significant portion of this funding will go to Alaska and help ensure communities have access to reliable, safe, and energy efficient transportation.
In response, Alaska Environment Research & Policy Center’s State Director Dyani Chapman issued the following statements:
“Like other public transit- ferries are essential for transportation that keeps our air and water clean and our climate livable. I’m thrilled that more resources are available for the Alaska Marine Highway to become more reliable and more efficient.”