Press Releases
CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION GRANT TO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR PUBLIC FERRY SYSTEM
Washington, D.C.,
February 22, 2022
Tags:
Economic Development
For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland PRESS STATEMENT CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION GRANT TO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR PUBLIC FERRY SYSTEM Washington, DC - Congresswoman Plaskett released the following statement regarding a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works (DPW). “I am very pleased to announce that the FTA is releasing $5.1 million dollars to the Department of Public Works for the specific purpose of purchasing a new passenger ferry to increase ridership between St. Thomas and St. John. The importance of reliable transportation between our islands cannot be overstated. The funding will serve to augment the current St. Thomas - St. John ferry fleet to accommodate an increase in ridership as well as maintain consistent service; it will cover the cost for a large capacity ferry – 100 feet long, with a capacity of 300 passengers. The third ferry will ensure service remains consistent when any ferries are out for repair. I am hopeful that the Virgin Islands’ Government will make use of the numerous other funding sources – the American Rescue Plan and especially the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to procure funding for a federally supplemented ferry system between St. Croix and St. Thomas. “I’d like to thank U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttegieg, and his team for the support in getting this funding to us. I look forward to the work that Commissioner Gabriel and his team at DPW will do to get this project off the ground swiftly.” ### |