Casco Bay Lines (CBL), also known by the name Casco Bay Island Transit District or CBITD, is a publicly owned and operated transportation company that provides services to the residents of the Casco Bay islands. These islands include Little Diamond Island, Peaks Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Diamond Cove, Cliff Island, and Chebeague Island. The company has a fleet of five vessels, and schedules to the islands vary depending on the seasons. For instance, during summer, more ferry trips travel back and forth to the islands, with significantly fewer trips during the winter.
The company began providing services as the Casco Bay Steamboat Company, offering permanent year-round service to Casco Bay Islands in 1878. In 1881, the Harpswell Line started to provide regular service to the islands outside the bay. These two lines merged in 1907, forming the Casco Bay and Harpswell Steamboat Company. However, in July 1919, the company shut down due to World War I. That winter, a smaller company was developed: Casco Bay Lines.
Meanwhile, CBITD is a non-profit organization established through the emergency State legislation in 1981. It acquired CBL assets through bankruptcy proceedings, ensuring the continuation of the transport service between the main terminal hub in Portland, Maine and the Casco Bay Islands. CBITD is led by a board of 12 directors, 10 of whom were elected from the island communities. Furthermore, one of them is appointed by the City of Portland while the other is appointed by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation.
A lot of workers from the island communities rely on CBITD as they go to their respective jobs every day, and take them home eventually. School children (from 6th grade and up) living on the islands also use the CBITD service to go to school and back home, as well.
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