Casco Bay ferry operator gets further fed funding

Photo / Jim Neuger In a typical year, Casco Bay Lines's five ferries transport more than 1 million passengers, 30,000 vehicles and 5,300 tons of freight.

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By Renee Cordes

The Casco Bay Island Transit District, which runs Portland's quasi-municipal ferry service to seven islands, has been awarded another $1.9 million in federal funding to keep its vessels, facility and equipment in service and in good working condition during the pandemic.

This funding was awarded through the Federal Transit Administration and came from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The money comes on top of $2.6 million in recently awarded CARES Act funding to help the ferry service operator cover operating, administrative and preventive maintenance costs.

“We are pleased to be receiving a portion of the CARES Act funds allocated to support transit in the Portland area,” Hank Berg, general manager of the Casco Bay Island Transit District, said in a statement.

He added that the second round of funding covers the period from July through December "as we have continued to adapt our operations significantly in order to protect our crew and passengers while fulfilling our mission to provide service to the islands."

The award was announced in a Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee and author of the CARES Act section that made the funding possible.

"Casco Bay Lines provides an indispensable service to those who live and work in our island communities, providing passenger, freight, and postal services, and transporting students to school and people to their jobs,” Collins said in Wednesday's release.

"This critical funding will help ensure that Casco Bay Lines continues to provide safe and reliable ferry services to passengers during this ongoing economic and public health crisis."

In a typical year, Casco Bay Lines' five ferries transport more than 1 million passengers, 30,000 vehicles and 5,300 tons of freight.

The ferries serve Peaks Island, Great Diamond Island, Little Diamond Island, Cliff Island, Long Island and Chebeague Island. During warmer months, Casco Bay Lines also travels to Bailey Island.

The ferry service has been operating since 1981.