NYC Receives $7.5 Million In Federal Funding To Electrify Governors Island Ferry

Funding Will Support New Rapid Charging Station to Support Governors Island’s Hybrid-Electric Ferry Coming Next Summer

Additional $3 Million Grant Will Support 24/7 Staten Island Ferry Operations

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that New York City has been awarded more than $10 million in U.S. Federal Transit Administration funding to support ferry operations serving Governors Island and Staten Island. One $7.5 million grant will fund the installation of shoreside rapid charging infrastructure to support the fully electric operations of the new hybrid-electric Governors Island Ferryannounced by Mayor Adams and the Trust for Governors Island in March 2023. The other grant, for $3 million, will fund the rehabilitation of a New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) offsite storage facility supporting 24/7 operations of the Staten Island Ferry.

The new, hybrid-electric Governors Island Ferry will be the first vessel of its kind to provide public transportation within New York Harbor, eliminating 800 tons of carbon emissions per year. Along with the nation-leading Center for Climate Solutions coming to Governors Island, anchored by the New York Climate Exchange announced in April 2023, Mayor Adams and the Trust are establishing Governors Island as a national hub for green innovation. The upgrades to Staten Island Ferry infrastructure follow the Adams administration’s agreement with the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association — the city’s first contract with Staten Island Ferry licensed officers since 2010 — helping deliver the reliable, 24/7 ferry service Staten Islanders and all riders deserve.

“New York City’s waterways are key arteries for our city — and the $10 million federal investment we have delivered for our ferry systems today will strengthen this smart, enjoyable way to enjoy the ride from point A to point B,” said Mayor Adams. “With another major win for the Staten Island Ferry, our administration is helping Staten Islanders get to work in the morning and home to their families in the evening. At the same time, we are putting innovative technology to work — reinforcing Governors Island as a nation-leading center of climate innovation and welcoming this first-of-its-kind public, electric vessel to provide cleaner air in New York Harbor. We are grateful to the Federal Transit Administration and to our federal, state, and city partners who joined us in advocating for this investment in New York City.”

“Every year, tens of millions of passengers rely on the Staten Island Ferry for their daily commutes and more, and Governors Island welcomes nearly 1 million visitors,” saidU.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. “That’s why I fought so hard to include these much-needed funds in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support Governors Island and Staten Island Ferry operations. These federal grants provide the resources needed to strengthen Staten Island Ferry operations and will fund shoreside charging infrastructure for Governors Island’s hybrid-electric ferry, expanding access for visitors.”

“Exclusively accessible by ferry, Governors Island is a national treasure that offers a range of unique resources that should be enjoyed by all New Yorkers,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “This $7.48 million in funding will allow for the construction of critical shoreside infrastructure to enable rapid charging for ferry vessels. Building this infrastructure will significantly reduce emissions, decrease maintenance costs, improve reliability of ferry service for passengers, and provide significant improvements in air quality for residents of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. I am proud to announce this funding and will continue to fight to improve transportation for passengers and bring federal dollars home to New York.”

The grants were secured as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which became law in November 2021. Valuable support for the city’s application came from Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler, U.S. Representative Dan Goldman, U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis, and local elected officials and advocates.

New York City’s first public, hybrid-electric ferry is scheduled to begin service between Lower Manhattan and Governors Island in the summer of 2024. The vessel’s rapid charging infrastructure, made possible by this capital grant, will enable the ferry to operate with zero-emission, battery-only propulsion, which will drop emissions to nearly zero. The new hybrid-electric ferry will expand access for Governors Island’s nearly 1 million annual visitors and will serve the forthcoming Center for Climate Solutions.

The ferry’s hybrid propulsion system will reduce air pollution by allowing it to toggle between zero-emission, battery-only power and battery-assisted hybrid with diesel backup. The battery-assist mode will allow the new ferry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 800 tons annually. The shoreside charging infrastructure will be located at Soissons Ferry Landing on Governors Island, with construction anticipated to be completed in 2025.

The $3 million awarded to DOT will rehabilitate an off-site storage facility, locally referred to as “Building 45.” The Staten Island Ferry is the busiest passenger-only ferry service in the world, carrying nearly 24 million passengers each year. It operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan.