Amtrak Downeaster returns pre-pandemic train service to Maine
Maine’s passenger train service, the Amtrak Downeaster, will soon steam back to pre-pandemic levels.
The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority said Wednesday that the Downeaster will add a fifth daily round trip between Brunswick and Boston, beginning May 3 when a new schedule goes into effect.
The Downeaster canceled all service in the early weeks of the pandemic, then introduced limited service in June 2020. Four daily round trips have been running since July 2020.
The new schedule will include a southbound train departing Brunswick at 10:20 a.m. each day and a northbound train leaving Boston’s North Station at 3 p.m. daily, NNEPRA said in a news release.
In addition, seasonal service will resume to and from Old Orchard Beach, and the last northbound train out of Boston each night will operate on a flexible schedule to better accommodate evening events.
“Passengers have requested more mid-day trains for years. Given the recent changes in travel patterns, the timing is now right,” said NNEPRA Marketing Director Natalie Bogart.
The Downeaster fare structure has been recently modified to expand discounts on tickets purchased more than three days in advance of travel. Standard everyday discounts for seniors, children, military personnel, and disabled riders remain in effect.
Amtrak has also recently added technology features which include a capacity indicator so passengers can see in advance how many people are booked on their train.
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