It is only fitting that an island as unique as Chebeague should have a transportation system as unique as CTC.
This pamphlet is intended to inform our passengers, seasoned veterans and newcomers alike, about transportation to Chebeague and to help make your journey a convenient, enjoyable trip you'll be eager to make again.
CTC was founded by the people of Chebeague with the mission to provide safe, reliable, efficient transportation for Chebeague Island.
What began almost forty years ago as a lobster boat converted to a water taxi has evolved into a community-owned transportation system providing over 90% of Chebeague's transportation needs. With eight to ten round trips a day, 365 days a year, we ferry over 100,000 passengers a year including commuters, school children, vacationers, and medical emergencies. We also transport personal, commercial, and municipal vehicles to Chebeague during the warmer months. So far, we have done so without any local, state, or federal financial assistance.
You may carry your bags, freight, and other personal possessions down the passenger ramp to the float for loading onto the boat. For your own safety, please wait for the boat on the wharf -- the float must be clear of people when the boat is docking. The boat crew will load your bags while you wait near the freight shed on the wharf. Though we appreciate the help you might offer, our crew will do a faster and more efficient job of packing the freight deck. Don't worry; the boat will not leave without all the freight loaded. When the crew asks you to come down the passenger ramp, you may safely board the vessel.
The Town of Yarmouth prohibits most vehicular access to the Cousins Island Wharf during summer weekends.
The Islander and Big Squaw are based at the Stone Wharf and are moored there when not in use. Parking is very much at a premium at the Stone Wharf and along the wharf road, so please try to avoid parking there.
Passengers are encouraged to load and unload their own bags on and off the boat. If you require assistance, our deckhands and crew are happy to help. You are invited to wait for departure aboard the boat.
The Blanchard Parking Lot operates under a strict set of Court Orders; therefore, we have to be certain to comply with all regulations. We appreciate the assistance of all of our passengers in this challenging endeavor.
The CTC parking lot on Cousins Island is provided for use by year-round Chebeague residents, commuters, and people with medical problems. Yarmouth residents may obtain daily permits from the Yarmouth Town Office. Others may use the lot when the Route 1 Lot is not in operation or during weekdays at any time.
When the bus is operating, only Blanchard Lot permit holders may park there overnight or on Saturdays and Sundays. Also, vehicles may not stop, stand, or park in the entrance road. Violators may find their vehicles towed at their expense.
An attendant is on duty to collect daily parking fees. In his or her absence, money should be left in the metal lock box, along with the windshield tag indicating your license plate number.
People who leave without paying for parking services in the Blanchard Lot will be assessed a $10 fee. Offenders will be towed upon return.
Between early springtime and early January (currently), remote parking is available near the intersection of I-95 and U.S. Route 1 in Cumberland, at the Yarmouth town line. A shuttle bus or van provides service to every ferry trip, leaving the Route 1 Parking Lot a half hour before the boat is scheduled to leave Cousins Island and returning about a half hour after the boat arrives.
Rather than make two trips to the Cousins Island Wharf, customers are encouraged to carry all of their baggage and belongings on the bus. Bicycle and baggage racks are provided on the bus for this purpose. Please allow ample time to load bags, bicycles, and other belongings onto the bus before its scheduled departure time. Space is limited in here, so please observe the parking guides and park close to the car next to yours.
For the convenience of Yarmouth residents only, the bus stops on demand at Sea Meadows Road on Cousins Island. No other stops are permitted along the bus route.
Our drivers are ready, willing, and anxious to help our passengers. If you need any help with your baggage, please ask for assistance.
You may buy a season parking permit or pay by the day. Please make your payment to the driver when you leave the Route 1 Lot.
Tickets for the boat may be purchased from the Deckhand on the boat. Boat tickets are also available from the Bus Drivers.
CTC is owned by about 1,450 Chebeague residents and frequent visitors. Completely self-funded, CTC receives no monetary subsidies from the local, state, or federal governments.
A share of CTC stock (currently $100) entitles the owner(s) to reduced ticket rates.
If you are interested in purchasing CTC stock, please speak with the deckhand on duty.
Tickets may be purchased from the Deckhand on the boat. Boat tickets are also available from the Bus Drivers.
Passenger, parking, and barging rates are available from our boat crew or office (207-846-3700). The number of our billing office is 207-846-5227.
Deck freight is carried according to the rate sheet posted on the freight deck. Undefined cargos will be carried based on the pro-rated cost of barging the goods in a pick-up truck.
Gasoline containers (including lawnmower gas tanks) must be empty. Please dispose of excess gasoline properly (not into the water).
Commercial freight cannot be accepted at Cousins Island after the 12 o'clock boat (per the Town of Yarmouth ordinance).
There is no freight charge for groceries, suitcases, backpacks, or tote bags. Please mark such items clearly with your name and address.
The U. S. Coast Guard requires a deckhand on duty on each active deck of the Islander. Due to cost considerations, the upper deck is normally open only during summer weekends.
There are no bathroom facilities available on either the Islander or the Big Squaw. Portable toilets are placed at the Blanchard and the Route 1 Lots for customer convenience.
CTC and its crew are proud to donate their services to Chebeague's volunteer rescue squad, which has saved many lives over the years and transported hundreds of people in need of immediate medical attention.
Such trips take priority over all other activities; the boat may turn around and head back for Chebeague and passengers may be asked to rapidly disembark at either Chebeague or Cousins. Please understand the urgent nature of the situation, and follow our deckhand's directions.
Throughout our operation, constant consideration is given to the special needs of the handicapped and elderly. A wheelchair is available aboard the boat and deckhands and bus drivers are always available to anyone in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to ask.
If you have any unusual needs that may require advance attention, please call our office at 207-846-3700.
For information concerning charter groups and tours, please call our office at 207-846-3700.
CTC operates a flat barge capable of carrying cars, trucks, and large equipment. However, this operation is also subject to various local regulations which must be strictly adhered to.
The barge operates between early April and late November with trips possible Monday through Friday during the spring and fall, and Tuesday through Thursday during the summer.
The hours of barge operation are totally dependent upon the stage of the tide. Arrangements must be made with our office (207-846-3700, 9 am to 1 pm). You will be asked to have your vehicle at the barge ramp at a particular time. However, due to weather and loading considerations, you may not be transported immediately. Naturally, every effort will be made to accommodate your needs, but many decisions cannot be made until the time of the trip. Vehicles are not allowed at the Cousins Island barge ramp before 7:00 am and landings after 5:00 pm are prohibited.
You will be notified if weather presents any transportation problems. Please understand that we'd rather cancel a trip than endanger our customers' vehicles and cargo, not to mention the lives of our crew.
All CTC vessels are VHF radio and radar equipped; our passenger carrying vessels and their equipment are Coast Guard inspected and are kept in top mechanical condition. Our crews are well trained to deal with all manners of mishaps at sea. In the highly unlikely event that there is an emergency of any kind aboard the vessel, please remain calm and carefully follow the directions of the captain and deckhand(s).
Islanders learn to live with the uncertainties dictated by changing weather conditions. High winds can cause problems and delays for CTC and other waterborne services in Casco Bay. Although we will make every effort to make all scheduled trips, we must place safety first and will cancel trips if conditions appear to be unacceptable.
However, we cannot predict adverse conditions with any certainty. Sometimes weather conditions can change one way or the other within an hour's time. So we usually make go/no-go decisions at the time of the trip. Please call our office (207-846-3700) for the latest trip status.
There are no toilet facilities on the Stone Wharf; the closest public accommodations are at the Chebeague Island Library/Community Center.
CTC maintains portable toilets in both the Blanchard and the Drowne Road Parking Lots.
Articles found on the boat or the bus may be claimed by calling our office at 207-846-3700.
Smoking is prohibited on all CTC vessels.
CTC and its predecessor have been carrying passengers from Cousins Island since 1959. While most people accept the fact that Cousins Island is on the road to Chebeague, a small number have objected to our presence since, after all, we do pass through their residential neighborhood.
So please join us in striving to be good neighbors and act as you would near your own home -- don't speed on Cousins Island, keep your voices down at night, respect the private property rights of people in the area, keep your dog on a leash, use the provided toilet facilities, and let's do what's necessary to maintain our welcome on Cousins Island.
...for riding CTC! Please come again soon!
For more information, call CTC at 207-846-3700 or send e-mail to: ctc@nlis.net.
Although all information contained in this website is believed to be correct, due to possible errors in transcription and/or HTML coding, no guarantees are made concerning the accuracy of the material presented in these pages. ©1996-2000, New Life Adventures, Inc. |
