Tag: Events

Amtrak Downeaster Celebrates 10 Million Riders

PORTLAND, MAINE – The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) announced that the Amtrak Downeaster celebrated a historic milestone—reaching 10 million riders since its inaugural trip in 2001, a result of a citizen initative started by Trainriders Northeast.

A special celebration took place on board Downeaster Train 686 between Brunswick, ME and Wells, ME on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.  NNEPRA staff handed out cookies and Golden Tickets (valid for a free round-trip on the Downeaster) to passengers to commemorate their part in this historic trip. The on-board celebration, special community partnerships, and an online giveaway have helped make the 10-millionth rider milestone truly memorable for all involved.

Taylor Auclair, NNEPRA

“Reaching 10 million riders is a significant accomplishment which speaks to the value the Amtrak Downeaster service provides to so many people and communities in our region and State,” said Patricia Quinn, Executive Director of NNEPRA. “The Downeaster is much more than just a train ride—it’s a lifeline for commuters, a resource for students, and an essential link to medical care and other important services. Families also rely on the Downeaster to attend events, explore Maine’s beautiful coastline, and visit loved ones.  We are proud to celebrate this achievement and look forward to continuing to serve our communities for many years to come.”

In addition to its significance for passengers, the Downeaster is a cornerstone of the regional economy. Passenger rail service supports jobs and promotes tourism, helping boost local economies in the cities and towns it serves.

NNEPRA is exploring opportunities to expand and enhance service to meet the growing needs of riders and communities in the years ahead. The Portland Station Relocation Project is a priority initiative which will reduce travel time, improve reliability, minimize conflicts with freight trains, reduce operating costs while increasing ridership and revenue and promoting car-free travel.

Special Travel Promotions put in place to Celebrate Downeaster Milestone

The Amtrak Downeaster is celebrating 10 Million Riders by offering special discounted fares for travel during January 2025. “If you already love the Downeaster, or if you’ve haven’t ridden yet, these $30 Round-Trip fares make January the perfect time to take the train!” said Taylor Auclair, NNEPRA Marketing Director.

The $30 round-trip ($15 one-way) fares apply to travel between Brunswick, ME and Boston, MA or any station in between.   The special fares are available for sale now and are valid for travel January 1, 2025 through January 31, 2025. Reservations for these discounted fares must be purchased 3 days in advance of travel. Reference promotion code v232.

For schedules, fares, and more information visit AmtrakDowneaster.com

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director, NNEPRA

WTS Maine Chapter Annual Meeting

Deputy Director, Natalie Bogart, and Grant and Compliance Manager, Catherine Davidson, represented NNEPRA at this year’s WTS Maine Chapter Annual Meeting. It was an inspiring event featuring keynote speaker Nuria Fernandez, who shared her insights on leadership and empowering women in the transportation sector.

Thank you to WTS Maine for hosting, and to Nuria Fernandez for her motivating words! Events like these highlight the importance of collaboration and mentorship.

Nuria Fernandez
Nuria Fernandez
Group Meeting

ABOUT: WTS International was founded in 1977 by a group of pioneering women in transportation who realized that women’s careers would benefit from professional development, encouragement and recognition to support their advancement in transportation professions. After more than 40 years of growth and development, WTS is an international organization with more than 6500 members (including women and men) and 79 chapters. WTS is connected to a network of 40,000 transportation professionals.  Join today.

Click to Join

– Taylor Belanger, Marketing Director, NNEPRA

Advancing Rail Safety with Positive Train Control

On June 26th, Amtrak and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) gathered with state, local, and federal officials at Freeport Station to discuss the installation and impact of Positive Train Control (PTC) between Haverhill, MA and Brunswick, ME on over 100 miles of track.

What is Positive Train Control?

Positive Train Control (PTC) is an advanced system designed to automatically stop or slow down a train before certain types of accidents occur and is intended to prevent:

  • Train-to-train collisions
  • Derailments caused by excessive speed
  • Unauthorized train movements on tracks undergoing maintenance
  • Movement of trains through misaligned track switches

Timeline

Scheduled to be completed in Spring 2026,  Positive Train Control (PTC) also creates opportunities for potential increases in Downeaster frequencies.

For additional details and updates, please follow NNEPRA on LinkedIn and the Downeaster on social channels and subscribe to our newsletter.

Group Photo

– Natalie Bogart, Deputy Director at NNEPRA

In Our Station Communities – NNEPRA Remains Active

Spring brings new opportunities for our station communities to engage with residents and visitors. NNEPRA remains committed to supporting and sustaining efforts put forth by small businesses, chamber groups, tourism partners, and rail advocacy members through sponsorships, tabling, and participating in local events. View our recent list of major engagements below.

Governor’s Conference on Tourism

April 24th & 25th – Holiday Inn By The Bay – Portland, Maine

At this year’s conference, NNEPRA was proud to watch Wayne Davis, of TrainRiders Northeast, receive the 2024 WelcomeME Award. His dedication to bringing passenger rail to Maine was the catalyst for the development of the Amtrak Downeaster.

TrainRiders Northeast 35th Annual Meeting

April 30th – Harraseeket Inn – Freeport, Maine

Supporting the TrainRiders Northeast Annual Meeting as Platinum Sponsors, the NNEPRA team, along with partners at Amtrak and MaineDOT, gathered to celebrate the growth of passenger rail in Maine and along the Northeast Corridor.

Flying Colors – Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine Art Auction Benefit

May 10th – Portland, Maine

NNEPRA partnered with Downeaster Travel Packages to donate a curated travel package to the CMTM’s Art Auction Benefit event. The CMTM continues to bring inclusive opportunities for all children and families to experience, learn, test, and grow within their expertly designed exhibits and hands-on experiential workshops, classes, and performances.

Downtown Worker Appreciation Day

May 25th – Portland, Maine

NNEPRA, alongside transportation partners serving the greater Portland region, b2b solutions, and b2c businesses, gathered to give back to Portland’s Downtown Workforce. With a two-hour lunch window and the location set in Monument Square, hundreds of staff, residents, and visitors poured into the city center to shake off the winter blues and get ready for a busy season in Portland, Maine.

Photo: Egide Foxworth and Portland Downtown
Photo: Egide Foxworth and Portland Downtown
Photo: Egide Foxworth and Portland Downtown

– Taylor Belanger, Marketing Director, NNEPRA