Pallone Announces $9.6 Million for Carteret Ferry Service Expansion

CARTERET, NJ - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is officially awarding $9.6 million to NJ TRANSIT for the Carteret Ferry Service Expansion Project to purchase a new ferry vessel, the latest federal investment Pallone has helped deliver to establish passenger ferry service between Central New Jersey and New York City.

"People in Central Jersey should not have to spend hours of their lives sitting in traffic just to get to and from work. We need to give commuters more reliable ways to get where they need to go, and that means actually investing in public transportation," said Pallone. "For years, I've fought for federal funding to make the Carteret ferry a reality because projects like this make a real difference in people's lives. This $9.6 million investment helps to put another vessel on the water and takes cars off our overcrowded roads. That is exactly what federal infrastructure dollars should be doing."

The funding builds on years of federal investment Pallone has helped secure for the project, including $6 million in Fiscal Year 2023 federal funding for the Carteret Ferry Terminal, a $5.6 million RAISE grant for construction of the multimodal terminal, and a previous $6 million FTA Passenger Ferry Grant to purchase a ferry vessel.

"Grant funding of this magnitude would not be possible without strong congressional support for public transportation. We gratefully acknowledge New Jersey's congressional delegation, led by New Jersey's senior U.S. Senator, Cory Booker, and U.S. Senator Andy Kim, as well as Congressman Frank Pallone, one of the delegation's most senior members. Senator Booker has been a leading voice in advocating for public transportation, renewable energy and the revitalization of urban communities throughout New Jersey. This award will help us establish a modern, reliable and environmentally responsible ferry service that expands access to employment opportunities, reduces roadway congestion and strengthens connections between Central New Jersey and New York City," said Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman.

The Carteret Ferry Service is planned to connect Central New Jersey with Manhattan and provide commuters with an alternative to driving and existing rail service. The broader waterfront project includes a multimodal terminal connecting ferry passengers with NJ TRANSIT buses, vehicles, and nearby pedestrian and bicycle routes.

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