downeasterlogoA pre-Thanksgiving board meeting was held at the NNEPRA offices in Portland. The following positive Downeaster operating statistics for October, 2010 were presented:

Ridership & Revenue:
Oct, 2010 - 41,891 passengers as compared to 41,072 in Oct, 2009 = a 2% increase
FY2011 YTD - $2,590,951 as compared to $2,517,369 in FY2010 YTD = a 2% increase

 

City Pair Ridership:
Portland-Boston = 12,400
Exeter-Boston = 6,612
Durham-Boston = 4,113
Wells-Boston = 3,332
Saco-Boston = 2,985
Dover-Boston = 3,525
Haverhill-Boston = 2,224

On Time Performance: 84.19%

Customer Satisfaction:
Overall: DE=92%  Amtrak=83%
Cleanliness: DE=86%  Amtrak=74%
Helpful Conductors:  DE=94%  Amtrak=82%
Cafe Experience:  DE=85%  Amtrak= 69%

Other items:
-Some 19.6 track miles have been laid from Brunswick to Falmouth. Construction for this season is about to wind down, depending on the weather.
-The question of quiet cars was discussed and Amtrak recommends against such a policy on short trains.
-NNEPRA is examining the location and design of a new downtown Portland station. It would be an intermodel facility allowing for bus, taxi, car parking (600 spaces) and a central platform capable of handling two trains. A generic architectural design was approved by the boad.
-The University of NH requested consideration of several pass options for students/faculty traveling between Exeter and Durham. After considerable discussion, it was agreed to create a pilot program for January that would provide discounted passes for students traveling between those two NH cities. If successful, it would be rolled out in the future to college communties along the Downeaster corridor in Maine.
-An Amtrak promotion offering a "Rockettes" package at the Wang Center in Boston has resulted in 1,200 reservations! Christmas is just around the corner!