Amtrak’s Downeaster was awarded a grant to explore extending the line on a 57-mile stretch from Brunswick to Rockland known as the Rockland Branch.
amtrak downeaster
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Amtrak’s Downeaster to receive $27 million in federal funding for track improvements
The authority that oversees the Downeaster also will get a $500,000 grant to explore expanding service to Rockland and adding a station in Falmouth.
advertisement
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Downeaster pitches fare increases for the first time in 5 years
The plan to raise certain fares $2 to $10 comes as ridership has rebounded beyond pre-pandemic levels.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Amtrak Downeaster ridership rebounds from pandemic slowdown
The 2023 total surpassed 500,000 passengers for the first time since 2019, indicating that the Boston-to-Brunswick service has mostly recovered from pandemic-related disruptions.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Commentary: Let’s not squander our chance to expand passenger rail
Restoration of passenger service from Brunswick to Waterville and Bangor will confer a wide array of economic benefits.
Posted inLocal & State, New England, News
New Hampshire reverses, OK’s alcohol sales on Downeaster, for now
State officials are working on a way around a law that forbids serving alcohol that hasn’t been purchased in the state, and the Downeaster travels through 35 miles of the state.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, New England, News
Downeaster riders won’t be able to order alcohol while train is in New Hampshire
A Granite State law says alcohol served in New Hampshire must have been purchased in the state. On the Amtrak Downeaster passenger rail service, the alcoholic drinks come from Maine.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Biddeford police still trying to notify relatives of 2 people hit by train
Police say they have a video of them lying down on the tracks, then sitting up to hug each other before they were struck by the Amtrak Downeaster.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Nation & World
Passenger rail receives historic funding as Downeaster turns 20
In Maine, municipal leaders want to see the Boston-to-Brunswick service expanded to other parts of the state, and a bill signed by the governor would study the issue.
Posted inBusiness, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, News
As Downeaster nears a milestone birthday, questions arise about its future
While politicians favor expanding the train service, COVID has changed riding habits, perhaps permanently. Expenses and emissions also warrant consideration.