(The Associated Press circulated the following on July 21.)
PORTLAND, Maine — Rail officials say high gas prices played a role in a 28 percent gain in ridership for Amtrak’s Downeaster during the latest fiscal year.
Executive Director Patricia Quinn of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority says the gain was the biggest of any Amtrak train in the period ending June 30.
Quinn says that on average an additional 947 passengers rode the Downeaster every day, and ticket revenue was up by 33 percent for the year.
She credits increased frequency and a better schedule, in addition to rising fuel costs, for the growth of the Portland-to-Boston rail service.