Amtrak Downeaster Adds More Train Service Beginning July 20!
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- Created: 14 July 2020 14 July 2020
PORTLAND, MAINE – The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) announced today that the Amtrak Downeaster will begin operating four round-trip trains between Brunswick, ME and Boston, MA every day beginning on Monday, July 20, 2020 as it enters Phase 2 of service restoration.
Other Phase 2 service elements include the availability of onboard food service and the re-opening of some Downeaster station facilities. Visit AmtrakDowneaster.com for a complete schedule and service information.
Several protocols and procedures have been implemented to protect the health and safety of passengers and crews, including:
- Trains will be sanitized and disinfected daily with enhanced cleaning between trips.
- Face coverings are required for crews and passengers on board trains and in stations.
- The number of riders is limited to no more than 50% of available seating capacity to support physical distancing guidelines.
- Amtrak eTicketing allows for touchless tickets collection; cash sales are not accepted.
- Enhanced cleaning, training and social distancing protocols have been implemented at the Downeaster Café, including installation of plexiglass partitions at the service counter and a pilot program for at-seat service. The Café table seating area will remain closed.
- Enhanced cleaning, training and social distancing protocols have been implemented at Downeaster station facilities.
Read more: Amtrak Downeaster Adds More Train Service Beginning July 20!
NNEPRA Expects Phase II of Resumption of Service Before the End Of July
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- Created: 01 July 2020 01 July 2020
At today's Operations Meeting, Executive Director Patricia Quinn said she expects three more roundtrips will be added to the Downeaster's schedule between Brunswick and Boston in the latter part of this month. The NNEPRA Board, which does not normally meet in July, will gather on July 15th to decide how best to proceed.
The determining factor will be the progress of the tie job between Exeter and the NH/MA line as Ms. Quinn wants to make sure that the additional service will perform well.
In addition to #680/681, trains #682/683, #684/685 and #688/687 are expected to be added. Once #688 arrives at North Station, it will not linger but head back to Maine as there is no late-night entertainment scheduled at the Garden. There is no date certain for this resumption of service. All trains will undergo extensive cleaning in the Brunswick Layover Facility.
All safety/protective measures will remain in place, social distancing upon boarding with mask and social distancing within the coaches (traveling at half capacity).
The stations along the line will determine in their own towns/cities as to how and when to open.
Railroad Sources Say PanAm RailWays is For Sale
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- Created: 01 July 2020 01 July 2020
PanAm, on whose tracks the Downeaster runs from Brunswick to the NH/MA line, is up for sale according to several authoritative rail sources. Pan Am has extensive rail holdings in four of the six New England states.
This from the Trains Magazine:
BILLERICA, Mass. — New England regional Pan Am Railways is for sale.
The privately held company, owned by 78-year-old Tim Mellon and other investors, has enlisted BMO Financial Group to assist with a potential sale transaction, according to multiple railroad industry sources.
Pan Am officials did not respond to a request for comment.
Industry observers say there will be considerable competition to buy Pan Am, which operates on 1,700 route miles and is the largest regional railroad in North America.
“I would expect that everyone is going to be interested in it,” says independent railroad analyst Anthony B. Hatch.