Maine Legislature Moves Closer to Studying Expanded Passenger Rail Service to Lewiston-Auburn and Bangor
- Details
- Created: 11 June 2021 11 June 2021
There are two overlapping bills in the ME Legislature this session to launch feasibility studies of expanding passenger rail service to Lewiston-Auburn and Bangor. Each designates the MEDOT to shepherd the effort with an appropriation of $180,000, some of which would be offset from Lewison-Auburn buy-ins. The DOT is to provide “an economic evaluation of commuter and passenger rail service” on the routes by next March.
TRN Opposes LD 1552 - Tantalizingly Titled: "An Act to Strengthen NNEPRA"
- Details
- Created: 22 May 2021 22 May 2021
Augusta, May 20th, 2021 - A spate of railroad-related bills was examined by the Committee on Transportation in a Thursday afternoon session and a follow-up work session the next day. The meetings were conducted via Zoom
LD1552 was titled "An Act to strengthen NNEPRA." It sounded like a positive effort by its proponents, but the devil was in the details and TRN Chairman Wayne Davis found good reasons to oppose the bill that would have weakened and inappropriately broaden NNPERA's responsibilities. Wayne Davis's quotes are from his written submission.
LD 1552: Expand the NNEPRA board by two members of the public who have expertise in passenger rail service. They would be elected by the board.
Wayne Davis in opposition: This would "eliminate the long-standing procedure whereby the Governor nominates new board members and the legislature confirms them." The current board configuration has "successfully overseen the management of the Downeaster since before its inaugural run in 2001. There is no reason to change this charging horse in midstream."
Read more: TRN Opposes LD 1552 - Tantalizingly Titled: "An Act to Strengthen NNEPRA"
Happy 50th Birthday Amtrak!
- Details
- Created: 01 May 2021 01 May 2021
On this date in 1971, the first Amtrak passenger train left New York City for Philadelphia. A national network eventually grew out of that beginning. The state-sponsored Amtrak services emerged, which included the Maine Downeaster in December of 2001. The Downeaster was the result of TrainRiders/Northeast's grass-routes advocacy.
Amtrak funding has been on a rollercoaster ride since its beginning - strong funding and then cutbacks. Today, under the administration of President Joe Biden, the proposals for new funding and new routes raise hopes of a new 'golden age' of passenger rail service in the US.
President Biden regularly commuted from his home in Wilmington, DE. to Capitol Hill for 30 years. His $2 Trillion 'American Jobs Plan,' now headed to Congress, allocates $80 Billion for passenger and freight rail. Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn stated that if the proposed funding is approved, "Amtrak would be able to bring the NEC to a state of good repair and improve trip times" as well as avoid "devastating consequences for our transportation network."
The president's remarks can be seen here (starting at 1:00:17) along with selected remarks from Chairman Wayne Davis. (go to 1:18:03 ).
Watch Chairman Davis's full remarks for the Amtrak 50th!
Here's to another 50 years!