Executive Director Patricia Quinn reported on the first three quarters of the Downeaster's performance. From her report:

349,028 passengers generated $4,928.705 in ticket revenue during the first 9 months of FY 2010.

• Average Daily Ridership: 1,274
• Average Passenger Fare: $14.12
• Average Revenue per Passenger: $15.69
• Average Miles per Passenger: 80
• Cost Recovery: 55%

Approximately 35% of all riders traveled using a multi-ride pass at an average fare of $7.01 and representing 17% of total revenue.

Weather significantly impacted On Time Performance in March. Wind storms, power outages, floods and even fires cause OTP to fall to 71% - the lowest in the fiscal year to date.

Ridership increased nearly 5% in March of this year as compared to March of 2009.

Ms. Quinn discussed several priorities for the next five years including:

• Service to the Lewiston-Auburn area
• Reducing Portland-Boston travel time to 2:15
• Increasing Portland-Boston service from 5 to 7 round trips daily
• Maintaining a 90% On Time Performance
  
• Studying a possible new Portland Transportation Center
  

Jim Russell was introduced as the Construction Coordinator. He will manage on behalf of NNEPRA the wye improvement, expansion to Brunswick and the layover facility as part of his duties. NNEPRA hopes that the $35 million from the FRA will arrive soon so that construction on the PanAm line to Brunswick can begin after the 4th of July.{jcomments on}