TrainRiders/NE Endorses NNEPRA's Proposed Portland Station Move to the Mainline, but with Important Concerns

The NNEPRA proposal to move the Portland Station from the Transportation Center to the mainline has received multiple public comments. Saving running time for passengers, crew, and equipment and significant annual cost savings (estimated at nearly $1 million) are accepted reasons to update the awkward move back and forth on the Mountain Division spur.

TRNE President F. Bruce Sleeper has entered public comments on behalf of our board, members, and train riders in general. In summary: 

TRNE "heartily supports" the selection of site 3. "It presents the fewest operational difficulties" and accomplishes the NNEPRA goals of reducing the running time between Brunswick and Boston as well as significant cost savings. 

TRNE has concerns about certain elements of the Site 3 proposal.

• The proposed station's passenger capacity appears "far too small" to handle the growing Downeaster ridership trend. Amtrak's guidance for station size calls for significantly greater square footage for waiting passengers.
•  The parking area, which would accommodate105 vehicles, is too small. "The station should include at least 200 parking spots and probably even more, preferably on-site." In addition, the parking area's configuration could leave some passengers some 500 feet from the station...not an attractive condition during the winter.
• These concerns are buttressed by statistics, experience at Amtrak and Downeaster stations, as well as Amtrak guidance.

Mr. Sleeper's comments to NNEPRA concludes, "TRNE appreciates all of the work that has, thus far, gone into this project and hopes that its comments are helpful and will be given the consideration that they deserve. TRNE understands that the only issue now at hand is whether Site 3 is the appropriate location for the new station. As stated above, TRNE firmly supports that site for the new station, and it makes its additional comments only to ensure that the issues those comments address become part of the ongoing process for the construction of that station." Full TRNE comments to NNEPRA

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