The 35th TrainRiders/NE Annual Meeting in Freeport Was An Impressive Event!
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- Created: 28 March 2024 28 March 2024
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Patricia Quinn of NNEPRA Calls 2023 "Phenomenal!"
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- Created: 30 December 2023 30 December 2023
We're used to good news when it comes to the Amtrak Downeaster. Still, the ridership numbers for 2023 set new records causing Patricia Quinn, NNEPRA's Executive Director, to label the past twelve months as "Phenominal!"
AP File Photo
In an interview with Maine PBS, Ms. Quinn celebrated the ridership numbers and the $27 million federal grant to improve the trackage between Brunswick to Boston. CSX owns the right of way and will partner with NNEPRA to implement the grant.
Ms. Quinn also listed the agency's goals in 2024.
- Pursuing additional grants to plan a new Portland Station.
- Implementation of 'Positive Train Control' which will allow increased frequency of train service.
- Examine increasing service from 5 to 8 roundtrips per day eventually.
- Continue work on the double tracking at Wells and the addition of a northbound platform.
- A pilot project of service between Brunswick and Rockland this summer.
The full interview can be viewed at Maine PBS.
NNEPRA Awarded $27 Million Grant from Biden Administration & Money to Explore Falmouth Station Stop & Possible Rockland Service
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- Created: 09 December 2023 09 December 2023
From Portland Press Herald: "Amtrak’s Downeaster will receive $27 million under a new initiative from the Biden administration to improve and expand passenger rail service across the country.
The funds for the Downeaster Corridor Track Improvement Project will improve the mainline from Brunswick to the Massachusetts state line and help avoid delays and longer transit times.
NNEPRA will also receive a $500,000 grant to explore building a new station in Falmouth and extending train service from Brunswick to Rockland, something that has long been considered."
Executive Director of NNEPRA, Patricia Quinn, said, “We are grateful for this federal award which, in partnership with CSX Transportation, will fund track-related upgrades to maintain reliability and set the stage for future improvements to the Amtrak Downeaster service.”
The full Press Herald article can be read here.
More details on the grant from Construction Equipment Guide.