Under this amendment, the State of Hawaii may apply for grants to help start new ferry operations. The marine ferry system of the United States provides an invaluable component to the transportation requirements of our nation.
Marine ferries are less costly as compared to highways, bridges, and tunnels.
The problem of severe traffic congestion is a critical issue. The State is exploring mobility alternatives for Honolulu's primary urban corridor from Ewa to downtown Honolulu. This provision allows Hawaii to use its funds for intrastate passenger ferryboat service, harbor improvements, highway construction, upgrading and maintaining of intercity primary and rural air service facilities, in addition to bus and transit service. The House had no such provision. Senators from states not served by Amtrak succeeded in including a provision that carved out 1 percent of these funds for each of their states.