News

Board Approves Downeaster Summer Pilot Program

Board Approves Downeaster Summer Pilot Program

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Railway authorities approved a pilot program for this summer that would expand Amtrak rail service for three weekends.

The Bangor Daily News reports the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority board of directors voted Monday to approve the pilot program. The seasonal extension will add stops in Bath, Wiscasset, Newcastle and Rockland.

The program had originally been scheduled to run for 10 weeks this summer. However, the NNEPRA board voted to scale back the program because of funding problems.

Maine Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt says the agency won’t approve additional state or federal funds for rail service extension in the 2019 fiscal year.

NNEPRA executive director Patricia Quinn believes ridership fees can sufficiently fund the upcoming pilot program. The pilot runs during two festival weekends.

MDOT still has to approve the program.

Latest Headlines

3 hours ago in Local

Gas Tops $4 in Maine as President Announces 2 Week Ceasefire in Iran

The cost of gas has risen more than a dollar since the start of the war

4 hours ago in Local

Massive Dredging Project Completed in Portland Harbor

The effort to clear more than 40 marine sites along Portland's waterfront began in December.

7 hours ago in Local

Lawsuit filed by sister of Lewiston mass shooting victim says tragedy was preventable

The sister of one of the victims killed in the Lewiston mass shooting is suing the U.S. government and claiming the tragedy could have been prevented.

7 hours ago in Local

Lisbon crash sends 2 to the hospital with serious injuries

Two people suffered serious injuries in a crash in Lisbon.

7 hours ago in Local

Maine Secretary of State seeking feedback for transgender ballot question

Mainers will have a chance to share their feedback for the wording of a ballot question about transgender athletes.