Senator Murray Highlights Federal Support to Keep Washington State Ferries Moving

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senator Appropriations Committee, joined state and local transit leaders from the Kitsap Peninsula to discuss how the American Rescue Plan has helped keep ferries and Washington state commuters moving during the pandemic. During the event, Senator Murray highlighted her work to secure nearly $168 million in funding for Washington state ferries, in addition to $2.9 million to make major upgrades to services. State and regional transit organizations have also received vital aid through the American Rescue Plan, including more than $30 million for Kitsap Transit, to assist in keeping our public transportation, especially ferries, operational.

During the event, Senator Murray discussed her work to expand on the momentum of the American Rescue Plan by passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November—which made the single greatest investment in public transportation in the country's history, including $2.5 billion for ferries and ferry electrification and more than $17 billion for port and waterway infrastructure. Senator Murray was instrumental in securing federal dollars to electrify and modernize Washington state's ferry systems, as well as enhance the states' ports, resulting in less pollution and congestion, and shorter commutes for Washington state families.

Senator Murray also reiterated her commitment to secure more funding for transportation infrastructure grant programs that help make Washington state transit projects possible while saving state taxpayers billions.

Senator Murray was joined by Roger Millar, Washington Secretary of Transportation; John Clauson, Executive Director of Kitsap Transit; Greg Wheeler, Mayor of Bremerton; Morgan Fanberg, PE, Glosten President; and Lisa Renehan, PE, Vice President, Glosten and Managing Director, Foil Ferry, LLC.