OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Businesses and officials hope Amtrak’s Downeaster service will stop in town year-round, the Associated Press reported.
Old Orchard Beach is now the only seasonal stop on the Portland-to-Boston line. Service stopped Oct. 31.
”I see no reason why we can’t be a year-round stop,” said Town Councilor Darryl Chandler. ”The beach is beautiful in the winter.”
More than 4,600 people traveled to and from the town from July to September, generating revenues in excess of $70,000.
Those figures are impressive, given that the Downeaster only began stopping in town seven weeks before Labor Day, said James Harmon, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Harmon and other business owners said there is no reason the town cannot operate all year.
”I think it will be a natural progression,” Harmon said. ”We did build the platform with that in mind. The focus now will be to develop a marketing campaign to bring more people to Old Orchard Beach.”
Business owners say the Downeaster has the potential to extend the tourist season. ”It’s difficult to attract clientele during the off-season around here,” said Rick Payette, co-owner of the Landmark Restaurant. ”I think the train would definitely help.”
John Englert, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, said there are no discussions planned about making the town a year-round stop, but said it is a future possibility. ”Right now we’re all fairly comfortable with the seasonal aspect,” he said.
Jonathan Carter, chairman of the board for the authority, said it would take a few more seasons before such a change could be adopted. ”I feel that Old Orchard Beach was a huge success for us this year, and it’s certainly something that if the service is going to continue to be successful, we need to take a look at it,” he said.