NNEPRA Breaks Ridership Record & Inflation Forces Proposed Fare Increases
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- Created: 10 October 2023 10 October 2023
Ridership is one of the critical metrics in measuring the success of the Downeaster. The Pandemic was no friend to passenger rail in general and our Downeaster was no exception. However, FY 2023 bounced back with 516,723 riders and in August of this year 'America's Favorite Trian' carried an all-time record of 61,769 riders!
We talked with Natalie Bogart, NNEPRA's Deputy Director, about the reasons for this impressive rebound. Natalie, before taking the reins of her new position, was Marketing Director. Therefore, if anyone should know, it's Natalie.
The Downeaster is no stranger to inflation as operating costs, according to NNEPRA, have risen by 20% in the last five years. A new fare plan has been proposed to address this increase. The Portland Press Herald detailed the anticipated ticket increases:
"Certain one-way coach Value fares would increase $2 to $6; the maximum premium paid for Business Class seating would increase from $10 to $12; and the cost of certain Multi-Ride Passes would increase as much as $10, including monthly, 10-ride and six-ticket college passes."
Five years ago the average price of a gallon of gas was $2.74, today it averages at least $3.50/gallon - that's more than a 25% increase. The Downeaster is still a bargain!
Good News on Train Travel in Maine!
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- Created: 10 August 2023 10 August 2023
First, NNEPRA announced that Downeaster ridership surpassed half a million passengers in fiscal year 2023. The 516,723 riders fell shy by 57,681 of the record 574,404 which was achieved in 2019 before the pandemic hit.
NNEPRA's deputy director, Natalie Bogart, commented, "The results are particuarly impressive given that Massachusetts track construction required more that 400 trains to operate limited service in the last fiscal year." The full story from the Portland Press Herald.
Second, an excursion passenger train between Brunswick and Rockland will likely launch Friday/Saturday/Sunday 'Coastliner' service next month, just in time for 'leaf peeping.' George Betke, Midcoast Railservice’s co-founder and vice president, said the Budd cars are completely refurbished with new restrooms and air conditionng. His company ran shortened pilot runs during the Rockland Lobster Festival carrying 628 riders. Lookout Bath, Wiscasset, Newcastle and Rockland - the tracks will soon be active again! The full story from The Time Record.
LD 209 Defeated; LD 404 Remans Alive; 6/22/2023 Public Hearing Before The Lower Road RUAC
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- Created: 19 June 2023 19 June 2023
There’s good news and there’s continuing news.
First, the good news. On June 14, 2023, both the Maine House and Senate voted that LD 209 "ought not to pass." This bill would have resulted in the removal of track between Portland and Augusta from the Berlin Subdivision formerly owned by the St. Lawrence & Atlantic. In voting against passage, the legislature accepted the recommendation of the Transportation Committee, as well as that of the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT). This is great news and we thank everyone who contacted members of the legislature about this bill. However, although that bill is dead for this legislative session, MDOT’s Commissioner has said that he is still studying the issue, so it may come back to haunt us sometime in the future.
Read more: LD 209 Defeated; LD 404 Remans Alive; 6/22/2023 Public Hearing Before The Lower Road RUAC