DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire students are becoming key customers for Amtrak’s Downeaster service.

UNH, in Durham, lies along the passenger train’s route between Boston and Portland, Maine.

“As students have gotten more accustomed to the train, they are using it,” said Patricia Douglas, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority marketing director in Portland, Maine.

Durham-to-Boston travel rose from 9,144 to 21,241 riders in the latest fiscal year. Travel between Durham and Portland also grew, from 1,620 to 2,795, she said.

Douglas said revenue is up, 98 percent for the Boston leg and 62 percent for the Portland, Maine, leg. She added that high demand prompted the authority to start daily service from Durham in January last year, a change from weekend-only stops.

Round-trip tickets for riders heading in either direction cost about $25 from Durham. Discounted passes also are available for regular riders. Students called the trains quick and inexpensive, praising them as easy ways to visit their homes or reach other cities for travel connections.

“It’s really convenient for me,” said sophomore Danielle Paquette of Haverhill, Mass.

UNH special projects manager Steve Pesci called the train service a good student recruiting tool. He also said it reduces traffic congestion.

“We want the students, but we don’t necessarily want their cars,” he said.

He said the university has secured an $800,000 federal grant to help fund a full-service train station in Durham. It would feature heating, air conditioning and other amenities, but Pesci said matching funds would be required.

Douglas said the authority hopes to get $1.2 million from the state to help add a fifth commuter train from Boston. Gov.-elect John Lynch, the Executive Council and state transportation commissioner Carol Murray are slated to discuss the request in January.

The rail service has served more than 790,000 passengers since Dec. 15, 2001, Douglas said. She predicted the extra train and other improvements could increase the Downeaster’s ridership by 18 percent in 2005.

Critics argue that the service still operates at a loss of $15 to $20 per fare.