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New Jersey Gets Grant to Convert Diesel Ferries to Hybrid-Electric

The $11.3 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration will help to convert the state’s diesel ferries to hybrid-electric vessels and make improvements to the Belford Ferry Terminal in Monmouth County.

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(TNS) — New Jersey is getting $11.3 million in Federal Transit Administration grants to convert diesel ferries to hybrid-electric vessels. The funds will also be used to fund improvements to the Belford Ferry Terminal in Monmouth County.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D- N.J., U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D- N.J., U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr., D-10th, and U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-6th, made the announcement Monday that a $7.298 million grant through NJ Transit will be used to convert the propulsion systems on four of NY Waterway’s older ferry vessels from diesel engines to hybrid-electric. Another $4 million will allow Monmouth County to make critical repairs and improvements to the Belford Ferry Terminal in Middletown, lawmakers said in press releases.

The $7.29 million grant allows NY Waterway to replace the diesel engines and generators with two electric driven propulsion motors, a battery bank and two smaller emergency generators. The generators provide power in case of power failure and a backup system so vessels may be used when charging is available, officials said.

Payne said he was looking forward to riding one of the electric ferries funded through his GREEN ferries legislation.

I introduced the GREEN Ferries Act to encourage ferry operators to switch to electric-powered vehicles,” he said in a statement. “I am pleased to hear that this grant will help improve passage across the New York Waterway.”

The electrification adds 10 years of service life to the ferries.

Monmouth County will use the $4 million grant to repair dockside infrastructure so passengers may safely board and disembark the ferry, and to maintain a state of good repair at the facility.

“I’m excited that the Belford Ferry Terminal will receive federal funding to help make important safety repairs in my district,” Pallone said. “This funding will help improve efficient and reliable transportation options in Monmouth County, reduce vehicle traffic, and ensure that the ferry remains a dependable form of transportation.”

The FTA’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program funds capital projects that help support existing passenger ferry service, establish new ferry service, and upgrade ferry boats, terminals and related facilities and equipment, officials said.

“Both the Belford Ferry and NY Waterway’s Hudson-New York ferry service are vital links in our transportation network that help reduce the number of vehicles on the road while investing in greener and more sustainable transit options,” Menendez said in a statement.

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