The Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK) received $8 million in federal funding from the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The money granted will be used to purchase a new battery-electric ferry and charging equipment. This addition will be the first of its kind for MetroLINK's Channel Cat service.
“Anyone who lives near the Mississippi River knows how special MetroLINK’s Channel Cat Water Taxi service is to the Quad Cities region," IL 17th District US Representative Eric Sorensen said. "It connects our neighbors to jobs, family, businesses, services, and keeps our region’s economy going."
This is one of eighteen grants awarded to fourteen states, totaling almost $300 million, as part of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, an initiative meant to update and expand ferry systems across the nation.
This project is one of eight to receive federal funding for more environmentally friendly transportation technology.
“MetroLINK’s passenger ferry service is an important part of the Quad Cities’ transit network and its economy,” said US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “This federal funding will allow MetroLINK to support a zero-emission ferry, not only leading to more reliable service for passengers looking to experience the Mississippi River, but also improved air and water quality. Senator Duckworth and I will continue advocating for investments in our public transit systems.”