Ferry allows UNE students to save time and money | News

SACO, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Students and staff at the University of New England campus in Biddeford have a new way to get to school, by boat.

For the next three weeks, people who live in Saco and work or go to school at UNE will be able to take a ferry across the Saco River, cutting their commute from roughly half an hour to just five minutes, and saving them the headache and gas money it normally takes to make the ten mile drive.

"I can see it from my house," lamented Elizabeth Caron, who teaches clinical skills to osteopathic medical students.  "I've been wanting to take a canoe or a little row boat, and I carry a computer to work everyday, and so I didn't want my computer to go in the water, so I always drove."

"This is an example of a company, an organization, a business looking at where their folks are coming from and trying to think outside the box and look at what is unique about their situation," explained sustainability coordinator, Alethea Cariddi.  "Carpooling and biking, those are the things we traditionally think of for commuting another way, and this is definitely unique."

The ferry service is free and open only to students, staff and faculty during this trial period.  If it is successful, the service could return for an eight week run in the fall.  Weather and water conditions make it impossible to operate year round.

The ferry runs weekdays from 7:30 to 9am and from 4 to 5:30 pm and departs from behind the residence halls on campus, across the river to Bare Knee Point Kayak Rentals on Camp Ellis.