In the midst of tough economic times, the Downeaster continues to shine with ridership and revenue numbers looking very good.

Executive Director Patricia Quinn provided the following report on the first three months of FY 2011 (July, Aug, Sept):

  • Ridership: 136,837 passengers - 3% increase over the same period last year.
  • Revenue: $2,008,857 million - 3% increase over the same period last year.
  • Passenger Miles: 11,216,364 - 3.1% increase over the same period last year
  • On Time Performance: 67% (still low but improving - Sept was 76%)
  • Busiest train: #685 averaging 294 passengers per day, followed by #680 with 250/day and 682 with 234/day.
  • Overall Customer Satisfaction: 94% (Amtrak = 80%)

The FRA announced a $600 thousand planning grant to NNEPRA that will focus on how best to improve travel time and frequency between Portland and Boston as well as examing the issue of a new intown station for Portland.

 

The expansion to Brunswick has seen 14.9 miles of continuous welded rail laid with the last rail train due in Maine this week.

The Town Manager of Old Orchard Beach, Jack Turcotte, requested that Downeaster year-round service begin next fall (currently, it is seasonal). He and NNEPRA will work out details with PanAm to determine what mantenance and upgrades may be required. OO Beach saw a 20% increase in ridership this summer!

The board announced that Patricia Quinn is to receive a new written contract as Executive Director maintaining her current salary and benefits. From Board Chairman Marty Eisenstein, "Patricia has turned in a stellar performance."