The travel industry expected that public transportation ridership in Maine would increase moderately as the Corvid-19 virus receded. That hope has not been realized even though Maine has one of the lowest infection rates in the US. 

 

The Portland Press Herald examined rail, bus and airline passenger numbers in the state since the virus became public enemy #1. As for the Downeaster, NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn said, “We’re still at 17 percent of what we would have been pre-COVID. That is pretty consistent with other Amtrak routes nationally.” The Downeaster continues to run roundtrips from Brunswick to Boston four times a day. 

Amtrak instituted enhanced cleaning of the trains and stations when it returned to service. Masks, social distancing within the trains and efficient air recycling provide the safest public transportation service in the country. Here's an Amtrak video on the current safety protocols. 

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