Long Beach Transit has received a nearly $550,000 federal grant to upgrade its existing water taxi fleet that connects downtown Long Beach with Alamitos Bay.

U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, announced the $544,904 grant from the Department of Transportation on Monday,  Aug. 24.

The funding will allow Long Beach Transit to replace aging passenger ferry engines with new ones, allowing the agency to deliver leaner, faster and more reliable service for riders while also cutting down on maintenance costs, the announcement said.

“Long Beach’s water taxi is one of the most iconic and unique ways to get around our city, and this investment is going to make it even better,” Garcia, the city’s former mayor, said in a written statement. “New engines mean safer rides, less downtime, and fewer emissions.”

As the city’s profile has risen in recent years, and with large-scale events on the horizon — such as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, for which Long Beach will host multiple competitions, including sailing — there has been renewed interest in establishing and upgrading alternative Long Beach’s modes of transportation.

In April, for example, the City Council approved taking formal steps also to establish Long Beach as a major destination and participant in the Pier-to-Pier Coastal Ferry Program, an effort to restore historic coastal connections between waterfront communities through alternative transportation methods.

“will provide a more reliable, accessible connection between downtown and Alamitos Bay,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement, “while strengthening a unique transportation option that connects residents, visitors and businesses across our waterfront.”

Separately, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors earlier this year began seeking possible providers for a water taxi service that would connect San Pedro to Long Beach as part of a strategy to lessen road traffic during the 2028 Olympic Games.

Three operators — Harbor Breeze Cruises, Hornblower Yachts and SF Prop — have expressed interest in providing the service.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has led that effort.

The recent DOT grant, meanwhile, was hailed by Long Beach Transit President and CEO Kenneth A. McDonald.

“As the only California transit agency receiving an award through this program,” he said in a statement, “we are especially proud to bring this federal investment to the city of Long Beach.”