New England’s Amtrak Downeaster Celebrates Milestone of 10 Million Passengers

On December 15, 2001, the first run of the Amtrak Downeaster signaled the return of passenger rail to Maine on the former rails of the Maine Central Rail Road for the first time since 1960.

23 Years of Passenger Service

There was a time when people traveled everywhere by rail, but with the invention of the automobile, passenger train service slowly faded here in New England, except for major metropolitan areas like Boston.

The Amtrak Downeaster brought back what many thought was lost forever. Originally running from Portland to Boston, the line was expanded to go as far as Brunswick. There has even been some talk of possibly running trains to Rockland.

10 Million Passengers

10 million is a big number, and it took some time to get there, but riders have found that it's very convenient and inexpensive to take The Downeaster to Boston. The train pulls into North Station and from there, you can travel anywhere in the city on Boston's subway, The T.

To celebrate the 10 millionth passenger, The Downeaster passed out cookies and Golden Tickets good for a free round-trip on the Downeaster to all the passengers on the train from Brunswick to Well on December 18. The ten millionth passenger got some goodies too.

Patricia Quinn's Statement on the 10 Millionth Passenger

Patricia Quinn is the Executive Director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority which operates the Downeaster with Amtrak. Here's what she had to say about the milestone:

Reaching 10 million riders is a significant accomplishment which speaks to the value the Amtrak Downeaster service provides to so many people and communities in our region and State. The Downeaster is much more than just a train ride—it’s a lifeline for commuters, a resource for students, and an essential link to medical care and other important services. Families also rely on the Downeaster to attend events, explore Maine’s beautiful coastline, and visit loved ones.  We are proud to celebrate this achievement and look forward to continuing to serve our communities for many years to come.