AUGUSTA – A bill enacted during the final days of the Maine legislative session sets up financing to extend the Downeaster passenger train, which now runs between Portland and Boston, farther into Maine.

The legislation, signed into law April 23, authorizes financing of a $30 million federal loan over 25 years. It allows some of the daily round trips between Boston and Portland to go farther into Maine, with stops in Freeport and then Brunswick.

Passengers going to Brunswick then could transfer to an excursion train that runs seasonally to Rockland, with stops in Bath and Wiscasset.

With gas prices soaring, Downeaster ridership is up substantially over last year.