Celebrating a Milestone for the Wells Area Improvement Project

NNEPRA was proud to mark the substantial completion of the Wells Area Improvement Project on October 26, 2026, at the Wells Regional Transportation Center in Wells, Maine.

The event brought together project partners, community leaders, and transportation representatives to celebrate this important milestone for Amtrak Downeaster service. Event speakers included Jim Cohen, NNEPRA Board Chairman; David Fink, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration; Peter Butler, Region 1 Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration; Dale Doughty, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation; Andre Briere, Director of the Maine Turnpike Authority; Maurice O’Connell of CSX Transportation; Jon Smith of Great Falls Construction; Michael Pardue, Wells Town Manager; Sarah Lawrence, representing the Office of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree; Sarah Stanley, representing the Office of Senator Angus S. King Jr.; and Pam Buck, representing the Office of Senator Susan Collins.

The program included remarks from project partners, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and a welcome to the first Downeaster passengers using the new platform structure. The participation of federal, state, and local transportation leaders, along with project partners, highlighted the collaboration and shared commitment that made this important milestone possible.

A special highlight was the recognition of MaineDOT’s Nate Moulton for his many years of dedication and contributions to NNEPRA and the Downeaster service. His longstanding commitment and partnership have played an important role in advancing passenger rail in Maine and throughout the region.

The ceremony also honored Patsy Brangdon, a longtime volunteer/ staff member who dedicated more than 21 years of service at the Wells Regional Transportation Center. A commemorative plaque was presented in recognition of her years of dedication, service to passengers, and lasting contributions to the Downeaster community.

The event celebrated not only progress in passenger rail infrastructure, but also the people and partnerships whose dedication, collaboration, and service have helped make these achievements possible. The substantial completion of the Wells Area Improvement Project represents another important step forward in enhancing the passenger experience and supporting the future of passenger rail in Maine and the region.

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director, NNEPRA

Celebrating New Transit Connections

Congratulations to Greater Portland METRO on the launch of new service connecting Portland, South Portland, and Scarborough! The ribbon-cutting marks an exciting step forward for regional mobility and provides passengers with more convenient options to reach jobs, health care, and other important destinations.

Route #25 will serve destinations along Route 1 in Scarborough, traveling from Portland via the Veterans Bridge and Main Street in South Portland. New service will provide access to key destinations, including the VA Clinic on Commercial Street, the MaineHealth medical campus, and the Exit 42 Park-n-Ride — offering commuters an easy connection between transit and the broader regional transportation network.

At NNEPRA, we support transit projects that make it easier for people to get where they need to go. Connecting bus service, rail, and other modes of transportation helps simplify the “last mile” for passengers and creates a more seamless travel experience across the region.

NNEPRA was excited to celebrate this new service and the connections it will create for Scarborough and the surrounding communities. Congratulations to GP METRO and all of the partners who helped make this important transit investment a reality!

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director, NNEPRA

Connecting with the Communities We Serve

NNEPRA has been on the move, connecting with residents, students, families, and community partners at events throughout the Amtrak Downeaster corridor.

Recent appearances at Portland Sea Dogs games, the University of Southern Maine’s Husky Fest and the University of New Hampshire’s U-Day created valuable opportunities for the NNEPRA Team to interact directly with the people and communities we serve and to answer questions about station access, affordable fares and discounts, onboard amenities and car-free connections to destinations along the Downeaster Corridor.