About the Taxi
Our Mission
The Island Transportation System (ITS) – the Taxi's formal name – was established 2008 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We provide affordable transportation for all visitors and residents, as well as charitable services to elderly, handicapped, infirm, and low-income residents.
We deliver over 300 packages a year, and provide take out service and delivery from island restaurants. We can log up to 40 miles a day on our rounds. And we continue to meet our original goals of providing reliable transportation to islanders and visitors and reducing automobile use on the island – resulting in less air pollution, less congestion and fewer parking problems down front.
But we are never too busy to return a wandering dog to its home or answer a frantic call from an islander on the mainland saying, "I think I left the soup on. Would you check?"
Management
ITS is managed by a volunteer board of Peaks Island residents.
Board meetings are held at least quarterly; more frequently if needed.
Board Members
| President | Steve Anderson |
| Treasurer | Peter Eckel |
| Secretary | Nancy Arnold |
| – | Martha Kearsley |
| – | Brad Burkholder |
| – | Norm Proulx |
History
In 2007, following an attempt by Peaks Island to become independent from the City of Portland, the City set up an elected body, the Peaks Island Council, to advise the city of the needs of Peaks Islanders. The City allocated $40,000 to the Council to address transportation and parking issues facing islanders.
The Council wisely decided to use some of the money to set up a small semi-public transit system on the island. This was the beginning of the Island Transportation System, known as "The Taxi." As with public transit on the mainland, passengers pay a fee and the system is also partially subsidized by the city. In the case of the Taxi, islanders also play an important role in raising money for the Taxi through raffles, fundraising events and support from local organizations and foundations.
Strongly supported and used by islanders, the Taxi has grown from an experimental venture with one part time driver to an indispensable part of the island community, making as many as 9000 trips a year. Those trips are divided between trips from the ferry to individual homes, and trips from home to the ferry, the store, the post office, churches and other island destinations.
Becoming a Driver
If you are interested in becoming a driver, please contact the Taxi at comments@peakstaxi.org to determine if there are positions available. If there are, we will assist you with the following steps:
1. Driving record check (for insurance purposes)
This requires that you provide us the following information from your Maine driver's license: full name, date of birth, and license number. Your driving record must be clean for the previous 3 years (no accidents or violations). We do the check and inform you of the results.
2. City of Portland livery license application
The Taxi will submit the application and cover fees for you once you have cleared the driving record check. You must complete the application form (available from a driver, or downloadable here) and provide the required ID photos (described in detail on the application). We have some island photographers willing to donate their services for these photos, so be sure to ask for contact info before running into town. Otherwise Walgreens, at the top of India Street, can also provide you with appropriate ID photos. Be sure to save your receipt for reimbursement.
3. Give the completed application and photos to any Peaks Taxi driver
The Taxi will contact you when your application is processed – usually about two weeks after you submit it. Once the Livery license is in hand, you can start driving the taxi.