Portland Amtrak connection picking up steam

PORTLAND – Amtrak’s Downeaster has exceeded ridership expectations for the third consecutive month, and the operator of the service is seeking to revise schedules and add more capacity for the service.

In February, 25,824 passengers rode the train during what was supposed to be a sluggish month for train travel, said Michael Murray, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority.

It’s becoming clear with each passing month that the Portland-to-Boston service launched Dec. 15 will meet or exceed its goal of 325,000 passengers during the first year, Murray said Thursday.

“We can see a trend starting to build, particularly in light of this being the slowest part of the season,” he said.

The solid numbers will help Murray as he prepares to meet with Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority officials to negotiate schedule changes. He’s also asking Amtrak for more seating capacity.

Right now, the train typically consists of a locomotive, two passenger cars and a dining car with total seating capacity of 216.

That wasn’t enough last weekend, when passengers were standing in the aisles as the train arrived in Boston’s North Station. “It’s a great problem to have,” Murray said of the crowded trains.

Right now, Amtrak can add an extra car with another 60 seats on some runs. Murray already has asked Amtrak to add two cars for additional capacity of 120 seats on each run this summer.

Murray also plans to meet with the MBTA as soon as next week to begin negotiating schedule changes at North Station.

When the service was launched, the MBTA did not provide the best arrival slots at the busy station. Murray hopes the trend toward greater ridership will encourage the MBTA to open up more desirable slots.

Other changes to be discussed include three-part tickets allowing riders to take the Downeaster to North Station and the T’s Orange Line to South Station to get access to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

The solid ridership numbers also opened the door to renewed discussions for a shuttle service between the North and South stations.

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority also is seeking to install ticket machines in New Hampshire stations to reduce unexpected walk-on traffic, Murray said.

All told, more than 60,000 passengers rode the Downeaster between Dec. 15 and the end of February, generating nearly $1 million in revenues, Murray said.

There are four daily trips in each direction. Stops include Saco and Wells; Dover, Durham and Exeter, N.H.; and Haverhill, Mass. Seasonal stops in Old Orchard Beach begin in June.