Amtrak Downeaster ridership rising, tops FY 2017 goal
Photo / Tim Greenway
Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which runs Amtrak's Downeaster service, reported ridership of 511,422 in fiscal year 2017, which ended on June 30. That tally exceeded 2016 and FY 2017 ridership goals by 8.8%.
The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority reported ridership of 511,422 on the Amtrak Downeaster for fiscal year 2017 (which ended on June 30, 2017), which exceeded FY2016 ridership and FY2017 ridership goals by 8.8%.
Ticket revenues of $8.62 million for the same period exceed FY2017 goals and FY2016 performance by 7%. All-time ridership and records were exceeded in the months of July and September in 2016 as well as January, February, April and June of 2017, according to NNEPRA’s news release.
“These results are particularly impressive,” said NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn, who was a 2014 Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year in the nonprofit category. “Achieving near-record ridership in a year of low fuel prices and construction-related service interruptions indicates that the Downeaster has come of age in solidifying a durable and loyal customer base.”
The Downeaster experienced its highest fiscal year ridership of 518,572 in FY2014 (July 2013-June 2014) when gas prices averaged about $3.60 per gallon. The current average is about $2.23 per gallon.
Although Boston is the primary destination for Downeaster riders, there have been increases in visitors travelling to Maine as well, NNEPRA reported. Ridership on trains typically used by visitors have shown the largest increases, and trends indicate that travelers are coming for more than just one day.
NNEPRA reports that improved reliability, changes to schedules and increased frequency to Freeport and Brunswick have contributed to the ridership surge, as well as repeat riders. Amtrak customer satisfaction scores rate the Downeaster among the best in the nation for overall customer satisfaction, cleanliness and friendliness of personnel.
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