Senator Murray Secures Nearly $30 Million for Ferries in WA; Murray Made WA Ferries Eligible for Rural Ferry Grants for First Time Ever

Murray authored and passed new language into law to make Washington state eligible for rural ferry grants for the first time ever

Murray leads efforts to fund federal support for urban and rural ferry funding streams

Murray has supported both the Passenger Ferry Grant Program and Rural Ferry Grant Program since both were established

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $22.1 million for King County Metro Transit, and $7.2 million for Washington State Ferries. The funding will support expanding a passenger-only ferry facility in Seattle and operations of rural ferry routes from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands, and Port Townsend to Coupeville. The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)'s Passenger Ferry and Rural Ferry Grant Programs.

"Like so many in Washington state, ferries are a part of my commute, so I know firsthand just how important they are so we can get around to work, a doctor's appointment, or anywhere else we need to go," said Senator Murray. "This funding will help make sure ferries are running on time, getting the necessary upgrades, and serving passengers for years to come. We actually use ferries in Washington state not just for tourism, but in our daily lives-so as Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee I wrote our funding bills in a way to make sure they work for and benefit Washington state. Now, for the first time ever, Washington state is receiving funding from the rural ferry grant program-and I'll be working to keep building on this progress."

"We are grateful for Senator Murray's strong advocacy for Washinton State Ferries. The $7 million Essential Rural Ferry Operating Assistance will support vital operations to ferry-dependent communities in the San Juan Islands. We thank Senator Murray for championing WSF's access to rural funding to support service that is so critical to Washingtonians," said Governor Bob Ferguson.

"King County's natural beauty and unique geography are part of what make this region such an incredible place to call home. Thanks to Senator Murray, we have secured funding that will help us invest in the infrastructure that keeps our region moving, giving us the potential to expand transit options in West Seattle and Vashon Island," said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. "This funding means we are a step closer to expanding transportation options in West Seattle and continuing reliable and safe access for Vashon residents getting to school, medical appointments, work, or a day of shopping downtown."

"Passenger-only ferry service has become an important route for people in both King and Kitsap Counties," said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. "This grant doubles the docks available for vessels, which ultimately supports more frequent service that will encourage people to leave their cars at home and ride into Seattle via the Salish Sea. Thank you, Senator Murray, for securing the funding that will help transform this proposal into reality."

"In Anacortes, the ferries are how our neighbors get to work, how families get to medical appointments, and how the San Juan Islands stay connected to the rest of Washington. I grew up watching both of my parents work at the Anacortes ferry terminal, and I know the pride the crews take in keeping these boats running and how much our community depends on them showing up, run after run. Senator Murray understands that our ferries are part of daily life here, not just our tourism season, and so she changed federal law so Washington routes could finally compete for rural ferry funding. Anacortes is grateful to her for delivering this investment in our terminal, our routes, and the people who rely on them," said Ryan Walters, Mayor of Anacortes.

In the FY26 transportation funding bill, Senator Murray secured $25 million for the Passenger Ferry Grant Program, which is $5 million above last year's funding level. Washington State Ferries has successfully competed for funding through this program before.

Senator Murray also secured $20 million for the Rural Ferry Grant Program, and-importantly-authored new language in the funding bill she negotiated to ensure Washington State Ferries can compete for this funding and applied this new language to prior fiscal year funding that remained available for rural ferry grants.

The Rural Ferry Grant Program was recently established as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation Murray helped pass as then-Assistant Democratic Leader.

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