Editing Ferry (section)

===North America===

==== Canada ====
Due to the numbers of large freshwater lakes and length of shoreline in Canada, various provinces and territories have ferry services.

[[BC Ferries]] operates the third largest ferry service in the world which carries travellers between [[Vancouver Island]] and the [[British Columbia]] mainland on the country's west coast. This ferry service operates to other islands including the [[Gulf Islands]] and [[Haida Gwaii]]. In 2015, BC Ferries carried more than 8&nbsp;million vehicles and 20&nbsp;million passengers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcferries.com/files/AboutBCF/AR/BCFS_AnnualReport_2015-2016.pdf|title=Annual Report 2015–2016 : British Columbia Ferry Service Inc. & B. C. Ferry Authority|website=Bcferries.com|access-date=27 January 2018|archive-date=11 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111010311/http://www.bcferries.com/files/AboutBCF/AR/BCFS_AnnualReport_2015-2016.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In [[Vancouver]] there is [[SeaBus]].

Canada's east coast has been home to numerous inter- and intra-provincial ferry and coastal services, including a large network operated by the federal government under [[CN Marine]] and later [[Marine Atlantic]]. Private and publicly owned ferry operations in eastern Canada include Marine Atlantic, serving the island of [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]], as well as [[Bay Ferries]], [[Northumberland Ferries]], [[Coopérative de transport maritime et aérien|CTMA]], [[Coastal Transport]], and [[Société des traversiers du Québec|STQ]]. Canadian waters in the [[Great Lakes]] once hosted numerous ferry services, but these have been reduced to those offered by [[Owen Sound Transportation Company]] and several smaller operations. There are also several commuter passenger ferry services operated in major cities, such as [[Metro Transit (Halifax)|Metro Transit]] in [[Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], and [[Toronto Island ferries]] in Toronto. There is also the [[Société des traversiers du Québec]].

==== United States ====
Due to the [[North Carolina]] coast's geography, consisting of numerous sounds, inlets, tidal arms, and islands, ferry transportation is essential in the region. The state operates twelve routes, eight of which are under the oversight of the [[North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division]], three of which are under the direct oversight of the [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]], and one of which is under the oversight of the [[North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ferry Schedule {{!}} NC State Parks |url=https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/hammocks-beach-state-park/ferry-schedule |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.ncparks.gov |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727181959/https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/hammocks-beach-state-park/ferry-schedule |url-status=live }}</ref> Three of the Ferry Division routes are tolled, and all ferry routes operated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation carry both vehicles and pedestrians, although certain vessels only carry pedestrians and cyclists. The National Park Service additionally works with private companies to offer ferry service to locations such as [[Cape Lookout National Seashore|Cape Lookout]] and [[Portsmouth, North Carolina|Portsmouth]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=List of Authorized Ferry Services – Cape Lookout National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/ferry.htm |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en |archive-date=10 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610155000/https://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/ferry.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Washington State Ferries]] operates the most extensive ferry system in the continental United States and the second largest in the world by vehicles carried, with ten routes on [[Puget Sound]] and the [[Strait of Juan de Fuca]] serving [[Ferry terminal|terminals]] in Washington and Vancouver Island.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/61B38EF5-0E39-420D-84F8-582A6A6CF476/0/WSFFactSheet2016_FINAL.pdf|title=WSDOT Ferries Division : Nation's Largest Ferry System|date=December 2016|website=Wsdot.wa.gov|access-date=27 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221120608/https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/61B38EF5-0E39-420D-84F8-582A6A6CF476/0/WSFFactSheet2016_FINAL.pdf|archive-date=21 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, Washington State Ferries carried 10.5&nbsp;million vehicles and 24.2&nbsp;million riders in total.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/traffic_stats/annualpdf/2016.pdf|title=Washington State Ferries : Traffic Statistics Rider Segment report|date=2016|website=Wsdot.wa.gov|access-date=27 January 2018|archive-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128021319/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/traffic_stats/annualpdf/2016.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Alaska Marine Highway|Alaska Marine Highway System]] provides service between Bellingham, Washington, and various towns and villages throughout Southeast and Southwest Alaska, including crossings of the [[Gulf of Alaska]]. AMHS provides affordable access to many small communities with no road connection or airport.

The [[Staten Island Ferry]] in [[Transportation in New York City|New York City]], sailing between the boroughs of [[Manhattan]] and [[Staten Island]], is the nation's single busiest ferry route by passenger volume. Unlike riders on many other ferry services, Staten Island Ferry passengers do not pay any fare to ride it. New York City also has a network of smaller ferries, or ''water taxis'', that shuttle commuters along the [[Hudson River]] from locations in [[New Jersey]] and Northern [[Manhattan]] down to the midtown, downtown and Wall Street business centers. Several ferry companies also offer service linking midtown and lower Manhattan with locations in the boroughs of [[Queens]] and [[Brooklyn]], crossing the city's [[East River]]. New York City Mayor [[Bill de Blasio]] announced in February 2015 that city would begin an expanded Citywide Ferry Service, and launched as [[NYC Ferry]] in 2017, linking heretofore relatively isolated communities such as [[Manhattan]]'s [[Lower East Side]], [[Soundview, Bronx|Soundview]] in [[The Bronx]], [[Astoria, Queens|Astoria]] and [[Rockaway, Queens|the Rockaways]] in [[Queens]] and such [[Brooklyn]] neighborhoods as [[Bay Ridge, Brooklyn|Bay Ridge]], [[Sunset Park, Brooklyn|Sunset Park]], and [[Red Hook, Brooklyn|Red Hook]] with existing ferry landings in [[Lower Manhattan]] and [[Midtown Manhattan]]. A second expansion phase connected [[Staten Island]] to the West Side of Manhattan, and added a stop in Throgs Neck, in the Bronx. NYC Ferry is now the largest passenger fleet in the United States.

The [[New Orleans]] area also has many ferries that carry both vehicles and pedestrians. Most notable is the Algiers Ferry, which has been in continuous operation since 1827 and is one of the oldest operating ferries in North America.
In New England, vehicle-carrying ferry services between mainland [[Cape Cod]] and the islands of [[Martha's Vineyard]] and [[Nantucket]] are operated by [[The Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority]], which sails year-round between [[Woods Hole]] and [[Vineyard Haven]] as well as [[Hyannis, Massachusetts|Hyannis]] and [[Nantucket]]. Seasonal service is also operated from Woods Hole to [[Oak Bluffs]] during the summer and fall. As there are no bridges or tunnels connecting the islands to the mainland, The Steamship Authority ferries in addition to being the only method for transporting private cars to or from the islands, also ferry heavy freight and supplies, such as construction materials and fuel, competing with tug and barge companies. Additionally, [[Hy-Line Cruises]] operates high-speed catamaran service from Hyannis to both islands, and several smaller operations run seasonal passenger-only service primarily geared towards tourist [[day-tripper]]s from other mainland ports, including [[New Bedford, MA|New Bedford]], (New Bedford Fast Ferry) [[Falmouth, MA|Falmouth]], (Island Queen ferry and Falmouth Ferry) and [[Harwich, MA|Harwich]] (Freedom Cruise Line). Ferries also bring riders and vehicles across [[Long Island Sound]] to such [[Connecticut]] cities as [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]] and [[New London, Connecticut|New London]], and to [[Block Island]] in [[Rhode Island]] from points on [[Long Island]].

Transbay commuting in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] was primarily ferry-based until the advent of automobiles in the 1940s, and most bridges in the area were built to supplant ferry services. By the 1970s, ferries were primarily used by tourists with [[Golden Gate Ferry]], an organization under the ownership of the same governing body as the [[Golden Gate Bridge]], left as the sole commute operator. The [[1989 Loma Prieta earthquake]] prompted the restoration of service to the [[East Bay]]. The modern ferry network is primarily under the authority of [[San Francisco Bay Ferry]], connecting with cities as far as [[Vallejo, California|Vallejo]]. Tourist excursions are also offered by [[Blue & Gold Fleet]] and [[Red & White Fleet]]. A ferry serves [[Angel Island (California)|Angel Island]] (which also accepts private craft). [[Alcatraz]] is served exclusively by ferry service administered by the [[National Park Service]].
{{main|Ferries of San Francisco Bay}}

Until the completion of the [[Mackinac Bridge]] in the 1950s, ferries were used for vehicle transportation between the [[Lower Peninsula of Michigan|Lower]] and the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan|Upper Peninsulas]] of [[Michigan]], across the [[Straits of Mackinac]] in the United States. Ferry service for [[bicycles]] and passengers continues across the straits for transport to [[Mackinac Island]], where motorized vehicles are almost completely prohibited. This crossing is made possible by two ferry lines [[Shepler's Ferry]] and [[Star Line Ferry|Mackinac Island Ferry Company (formerly Star Line)]].

A ferry service runs between [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]] and [[Muskegon, Michigan]] operated by [[Lake Express]]. Another ferry [[SS Badger]] operates between [[Manitowoc, Wisconsin]] and [[Ludington, Michigan]]. Both cross [[Lake Michigan]].

Numerous additional inland ferry routes exist in the United States, such as the [[Cave-In-Rock Ferry]] across the Ohio River, and the [[Tennessee State Route 147|Benton-Houston Ferry]] across the Tennessee River.

===== Modernization of ferry system =====
The FTA announced in September 2024 that it would award $300 million in grants to modernize ferry systems in the United States. These grants will support 18 projects across 14 states, emphasizing upgrading environmentally friendly [[Marine propulsion|propulsion]] systems. Eight of the 18 projects will receive funding for this purpose.<ref name="m614">{{cite web | title=INVESTING IN AMERICA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $300 Million in Grants to Modernize America's Ferry Systems | website=Federal Transit Administration | date=2024-09-16 | url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/news/investing-america-biden-harris-administration-announces-nearly-300-million-grants | access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref>

One notable project is the San Francisco ferry system, which will receive $11.5 million to improve the connection between Treasure Island and Mission Bay. In Maine, the ferry system will be upgraded in Lincolnville and Islesboro. Additionally, Alaska will receive a significant $106.4 million grant to replace a 60-year-old vessel operating in the southwest. This vessel is a crucial connector for the region.<ref name="m614" />

These grants are part of the FTA's efforts to improve ferry transportation in the United States and promote [[sustainable transportation]] options.<ref name="m614" />

==== Mexico ====
Mexico has ferry services run by [[Baja Ferries]] that connect [[La Paz, Baja California Sur|La Paz]] located on the Baja California Peninsula with [[Mazatlán]] and [[Topolobampo]]. Passenger ferries also run from [[Playa del Carmen]] to the island of [[Cozumel]].
<gallery mode=packed heights="150px">
File:Spirit of vi 3.jpg|{{MV|Spirit of Vancouver Island}} en route to [[Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal|Tsawwassen]] from [[Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal|Swartz Bay]]. Route 1 is [[BC Ferries]] busiest route.
File:Washington State Ferry 6415.JPG|The ''[[MV Spokane]]'' sailing from [[Edmonds, Washington|Edmonds]] to [[Kingston, Washington|Kingston]], one of ten routes served by [[Washington State Ferries]].
File:LeConte Kennicott 30.jpg|Alaska Marine Highway System ferries [[MV LeConte|MV ''LeConte'']] and [[MV Kennicott|MV ''Kennicott'']] near [[Juneau, Alaska]]
</gallery>