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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 JA N UA R Y 8 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S E C O N O M I C F O R E C A S T T R A N S P O R TAT I O N Passenger trains are again running full speed ahead, but work remains down the track B y W i l l i a m H a l l L ike many industries, Maine's trans- portation sector shuddered to a near-halt at the start of the pandemic. For over a month, Downeaster pas- senger trains never left the station — that is, any of their 12 stops between Brunswick and Boston. Amtrak's Downeaster line, over- seen by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, resumed some operations in June 2020 and then picked up steam. Now the Downeaster is again running five daily round-trips along its 145-mile route. Passenger volumes were at pre- pandemic levels in 2023 and surpassed them for much of the year. In August, the Downeaster carried 61,769 passen- gers, the highest monthly total since the rail service began in 2001. e boom should continue in the months ahead, says Patricia Quinn, executive director of Portland-based rail authority. "2024 is a year of tre- mendous opportunity for the Amtrak Downeaster." Demand among business travelers has been the slowest to return, she notes. But even those passengers are boarding the trains in greater numbers, as more people return to the workplace. Other factors that will drive the Downeaster's ridership are contingent on the Maine economy. A strong general economy is "essential" to support leisure travel on the train, Quinn says. Housing growth and business devel- opment near Maine's six Downeaster stations are also a key element. In 2024, the rail authority plans to continue an overhaul of the Downeaster's stop in Wells, extend- ing a rail siding there from 2 miles to 8 miles and adding a second boarding platform. e build-out will eventu- ally allow a sixth round-trip between Wells and Brunswick. Planning will continue for other potential expansions, including a new station in West Falmouth and pilot runs between Brunswick and Rockland. Federal infrastructure funds have paid for a lot of the work, and many more dollars will be needed. Service interruptions will also be unavoidable in order for projects to move ahead, Quinn cautions. E C O N O M Y Maine businesses face mixed indicators, challenges and chances to grow B y W i l l i a m H a l l W hen the dean of the University of Maine Graduate School of Business, Norm O'Reilly, looks at the state's economic prospects in 2024, he sees good and not-so-good. Macro trends will, of course, affect Maine. He notes two worri- some examples. "e combination of high inter- est and inflation rates is something we cannot ignore. Although these rates are not historically high, they A Division of Hammond Lumber Company Revitalize the Heart of your Home. F R I E N D L Y A N D P R O F E S S I O N A L S A L E S S T A F F C O M P L E T E S H O W R O O M W I T H F U N C T I O N I N G D I S P L A Y F R E E 3 D D E S I G N S E R V I C E S W I T H P U R C H A S E O F M A T E R I A L S AUBURN • BANGOR • BAR HARBOR • BELFAST • BELGRADE • BLUE HILL • BOOTHBAY HARBOR • BRUNSWICK BUCKSPORT • CALAIS • CAMDEN • CHERRYFIELD • DAMARISCOTTA • ELLSWORTH • FAIRFIELD • FARMINGTON GREENVILLE • MACHIAS • PORTLAND • ROCHESTER (NH) • ROCKLAND • SKOWHEGAN 22 LOCATIONS ACROSS MAINE & NEW HAMPSHIRE WWW.HAMMONDLUMBER.COM E2Tech is Maine's leading energy, environmental, and clean technology business and economic development organization. Our environment makes Maine a great place for environmental jobs. E2TECH: BE A PART OF MAINE'S GREEN ECONOMY! PROMOTE — E2Tech connects startups and entrepreneurs with resources to grow their businesses. CONNECT — E2Tech has linked members of the Green Economy for more than 20 years. We engage in special research and collaborative projects with state and local agencies. EDUCATE — Every year, thousands of people across Maine find educational and networking opportunities at our forums, workshops, and events. Members meet fellow environment, energy, building, and sustainability professionals at E2Tech's series of in-person meetings and webinars. LEARN MORE AND JOIN TODAY AT E2TECH.ORG/MEMBERSHIP C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Patricia Quinn is executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates Amtrak's Downeaster line.

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