Open House at the Brunswick Layover Facility

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Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster

Published: 23 October 2016 23 October 2016

Another milestone today for the Amtrak Downeaster as NNEPRA held an Open House at the 655' long, three-trainset barn.

The entire NNEPRA staff was present answering questions from the hundreds of visitors. As one observer said, "What was all the fuss about?" Enjoy the comments.

NNEPRA and its staff have been through YEARS of opposition from the neighboring community and this event celebrated the rail authority's accomplishment - an indoor facility to service the Downeaster trainsets (welcomed by the maintenance crews, particularly in the winter); an additional Brunswick-Boston round trip on November 21st; a more flexible schedule; and a welcome boost to efficiency, ridership and revenue.

NNEPRA 2016 Annual Meeting

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Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster

Published: 14 October 2016 14 October 2016

NNEPRA held its Annual Meeting last night in Freeport, Maine. Executive Director Patricia Quinn released the best statistic of the evening: "Fiscal year 2017 started strong with our highest first quarter ridership since the service was inaugurated!"

Much of the second quarter of FY2017 will suffer due to the current service disruption as some 15,000 ties are being replaced on the PanAm section of the line between Wells and Portland. This work is scheduled to end on November 21st when the third round trip from Brunswick to Boston will begin. This schedule improvement is due primarily to the Brunswick Layover Facility, which will go 'on line' next month.

Video of a trainset entering the BLF was scheduled to be shown at the meeting - produced by Maine HDTV in cooperation with Consigli Construction, NNEPRA and Amtrak. You can view it here.

Public Hearing on OPEGA's Review of NNEPRA

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Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster

Published: 08 October 2016 08 October 2016

The public hearing of the Maine Government Oversight Committee was held on October 6th, in Augusta. The purpose was to allow public comments on the recent Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability's (OPEGA) review of NNEPRA's financial and operational administration of the Amtrak Downeaster. Those who were displeased that the report failed to find fault with NNEPRA management, refocused their attention from trying to prevent the construction of the Brunswick Layover Facility to requesting further investigation of the decisions of NNEPA Executive Director Patricia Quinn as well as the board itself. Ms. Quinn, TrainRiders/NE Counsel F. Bruce Sleeper and an impassioned Board Chairman Martin Eisenstein returned the fire. Here's a sampling of the hearing.

State Oversight Office Gives NNEPRA High Marks

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Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster

Published: 17 September 2016 17 September 2016

The Government Oversight Committee held a session this week to hear the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability's position regarding an investigation into NNEPRA's management of its finances and operational supervision of the Downeaster passenger rail service.

State Senator Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick, an outgoing member of the Government Oversight Committee, had forcefully pursued the investigation. The following report is from All Aboard Brunswick which has been closely following the process.

OPEGA found NNEPRA to be a well-run organization with lots of oversight, tasked with the challenge of coordinating operations with Amtrak, Pam Am Railways, the MBTA, Maine DOT, individual station owners, and responsible to the Legislature, Maine DOT, the Federal Rail Authority (FRA), and the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA).  Basically, the report said, “Nothing to see here, folks.  Move along now.”

The report’s three recommendations were:

1.     Better communication between NNEPRA and the Legislature, with the Transportation Committee scheduling NNEPRA to present its annual reports at public meetings. In the past, presentations at public meetings have typically been initiated by NNEPRA.

2.     As part of the process of establishing passenger rail policy, planning and implementation, the Legislature, MDOT and NNEPRA should rely on objective cost-benefit research and analysis, and provide timely and appropriate forums for public input throughout a project’s duration.

Read more: State Oversight Office Gives NNEPRA High Marks