(The Associated Press circulated the following story by John Skoyles on March 23.)
PORTLAND, Maine — Operators of Amtrak´s Downeaster are making changes so the last train from Boston to Portland leaves an hour earlier.
The last train currently leaves Boston´s North Station at 11:15 p.m. and arrives in Portland at 2 a.m. The change, effective on April 26, means the last train will leave 10:20 p.m. and arrive at 1:05 a.m.
The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority hopes the change will make rail service more convenient and draw more passengers, but critics are worried that people attending events in Boston will be left at the station.
TrainRiders Northeast opposed the change. Randy Perry, who has served on TrainRiders Northeast´s board for 10 years, called the change baffling.
“I certainly know you can´t get from Fenway to North Station after a Red Sox game in time to catch that train,” he said.
Patricia Douglas, manager of marketing and development for the authority, said most Fleet Center sporting events are over by 10 p.m., and that the new schedule will be more convenient for people attending such events.
Tweaking the schedule also will save money but the goal is more passengers on the late train, which consistently has low ridership, she said.
Douglas said if the plan doesn´t work, the authority will tweak it further.
“Our primary concern is our customers,” she said.