PORTLAND, Maine — Residents on a number of Casco Bay islands are fighting to keep their cars on the mainland.
Many say it’s vital for island life, but there are only a handful of spots for hundreds of residents.
For islanders, the ferry is their lifeline to the mainland, but so is a car.
Every day, residents of Peaks, Great Diamond and Cliff Islands, just to name a few, travel to Portland, where their cars are waiting.
While some use local garages, the price is normally high and many have a 2-year wait list.
But even street parking is drying up.
Officials say for more than 250 residents with parking stickers, there are only 55 spots available.
With so many islanders fighting for spaces when they do get to the mainland, officials say they are working on a more permanent solution, while hoping many of them ditch their cars for other forms of transportation.
While residents say that’s a start, they’re hoping more spots will eventually open up.