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Stop, Look & Listen - The Long-Awaited Passenger Information Display System is Up and Running in Saco

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Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
Published: 07 April 2018 07 April 2018

Some projects take longer than expected. When NNEPRA's Passenger Services Manager Brian Beeler joined the state agency, he was given the "opportunity" to shepherd to completion the Passenger Information Display System for the Downeaster stops in Maine. Little did he know that it would require eight years to see it finally implemented. In fact, the effort was already "in progress" prior to his arrival. Constant Amtrak reorganizations, technology improvements and vendor changes caused the project to stretch on for more than a decade.

It's now up and running in Saco. Portland and Wells are next. The Downeaster trains are listed in order of arrival at the local station and any delays are posted as well. A pleasant female voice announces the arrival and final boarding call of the scheduled train, the text of which is seen on the display. 

NNEPRA can also program any unanticipated delays into the system so passengers awaiting their trains will no longer be left in the dark.

The Saco station now sounds like Grand Central Station. We welcome this helpful new technology - improving the passengers' experience as they await "America's Favorite Train."

No Amtrak Service to Rockland This Year

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Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
Parent Category: NNEPRA NNEPRA
Published: 26 March 2018 26 March 2018

Rockland Extension: At today's NNEPRA Board Meeting in Portland, Executive Director Patricia Quinn informed those present that Amtrak is unable to perform the required risk-assessment of the Rockland branch this year due to the need to assess all their existing routes because of PTC and 'dark territory' issues. Brunswick to Rockland would be a new route. 

 Ms. Quinn pledged to work closely with Amtrak so that a "more robust" proposal for Midcoast service can be accomplished next year.

Read more: No Amtrak Service to Rockland This Year

Lewiston-Auburn, Kennebunk & New Hamphire - News on Passenger Rail Activities

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Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
Published: 19 March 2018 19 March 2018

There's been a flurry of passenger rail news from Maine and New Hampshire. First, Maine. 

Lewiston-Auburn: Two workshops will be held this month as part of a $400,000 legislative appropriation to examine the viability and community support for service between L-A and Portland. The first will be in Portland on Tuesday, March 27th in Room 24 of the Portland City Hall and the other in Lewiston on Wednesday, March 28th in Callahan Hall of the Lewiston Library from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

LAStudy

Read more: Lewiston-Auburn, Kennebunk & New Hamphire - News on Passenger Rail Activities

Planned Rockland Extension's Schedule Reduced Due to New Amtrak Safety Requirements - THIS IS NOW OUTDATED

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Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
Parent Category: NNEPRA NNEPRA
Published: 26 February 2018 26 February 2018

Today's NNEPRA Board Meeting was expected to give the 'Go-ahead'  for the summer Coastal Connection Service between Brunswick and Rockland. That did not happen. What was approved was a decision to move forward with an August weekend service, but with four important conditions:

1. An Amtrak-CMQ agreement being reached.

2. A positive MeDOT infrastructure report on the branch line

3. A trip no longer than two and a quarter hours.

4. The service must meet all Amtrak and FRA requirements

Several members of the public expressed their disappointment, particularly those along the midcoast. 

Read more: Planned Rockland Extension's Schedule Reduced Due to New Amtrak Safety Requirements - THIS IS NOW...

NH Legislative Committee Says "No" to Federally Funded Rail Study - THIS IS NOW OUTDATED

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Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
Published: 20 February 2018 20 February 2018

nhThe effort to use federal money to initiate an in-depth study of commuter rail service between Manchester and Boston has been defeated.

From Kevin Landrigan of the New Hampshire Union Leader:

"On Wednesday, the House Public Works and Highways Committee voted along party lines to strike a $4 million grant for commuter rail from the proposed 10-year highway program.

Gov. Sununu requested the grant since it was a critical part of the state’s application to try to lure Amazon to locate its second national headquarters here.

After the state was bounced from that competition, leading GOP legislators said Sununu told them he “wouldn’t lose sleep” if the House took it out."

Mr. Landrigan concludes, "One thing is for certain; supporters won’t be giving up and they’ve put together a broad cross-section of businesses that are on board with this request."

Passenger rail service in NH remains the domain of the State of Maine - the Downeaster!

More Articles ...

  1. January, 2018 NNEPRA Board Meeting
  2. Rockland Residents Enthusiastically Support Proposed Downeaster Expansion to the MidCoast
  3. 29th TrainRiders/NE Annual Meeting
  4. UPDATE: NNEPRA Proposes Summer Weekend Rockland Service from May through October!
  5. NNEPRA September, 2017, Board Meeting

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