Coastal Connection Service Extension Pilot

Project Overview

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), in partnership with the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA), is pursuing a two year pilot project for regularly scheduled passenger rail service on the state-owned Rockland Branch between Brunswick and Rockland, Maine.  The proposed service would help to provide ridership demand and data along with insight into the viability of passenger rail service in the midcoast.

NNEPRA has requested a proposal from Amtrak to operate passenger rail service on the Rockland Branch beginning in 2024 using self-propelled “Coastliner” passenger train equipment owned by Midcoast Rail Service.  Midcoast Rail Service has a Lease and Operating agreement for freight rail service on the Rockland Branch with MaineDOT. 

The scheduled passenger service, with a goal of beginning in 2024, is planned to make up to three round-trips between Rockland and Brunswick each day to provide a safe, reliable, public transportation option for residents and visitors along the Route 1 corridor.   Trains will serve stations in Bath, Newcastle and Wiscasset and schedules will be coordinated to connect with the Amtrak Downeaster. 

Midcoast Rail Service plans to deploy a Coastliner trainset to Maine for testing and offer tours and a limited excursion schedule in the summer/fall of 2023 while operating, infrastructure and regulatory requirements for the proposed regularly scheduled service are being evaluated and addressed. 

Additional information will be made public as it is available.

Project Budget

Additional information will be made public as it is available. 

 

Project Schedule

Additional information will be made public as it is available.