1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated January 27, 2022Ferry Programs in the Department of TransportationFerries provide transportation services in a wide variety of settings and for many purposes. The main types of ferry service in the United States are commuter passenger service in urban areas, a
2、nd highway vehicle carriage in rural areas where a bridge is unavailable. Coastal and island regions, such as Alaska, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puget Sound, and New England, can be especially dependent on ferries for both passenger and freight transportation. There are also many ferries that provide
3、service mainly for recreational purposes, including several in national parks. Overall, ferries play a minor role in the U.S. transportation system, providing about 1% of public transportation trips in 2019. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) supports ferry services through both highway and
4、 public transportation programs. Generally, federal funds are eligible for capital projects, including buying and refurbishing ferries, and building and rehabilitating ferry terminals and maintenance facilities. Ferries must be built domestically according to a law dating to 1886 (46 U.S.C. 55103).
