by Donald Wood
Last updated: 1:09 PM ET, Fri June 8, 2018
For rail travelers looking for an adventure this summer, Amtrak and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) are teaming up to introduce a rail pass to make it easier to discover Maine by train.
The new Discover Maine Rail Pass is valid for 10 one-way trips on the Amtrak Downeaster between any Maine station within a seven-day period for an introductory price of $19 per person.
The pass was implemented to encourage car-free travel within the state and highlight the popular Maine destinations served by the Downeaster. Local tourism officials are hoping the new passes increase both single-day visits and multiple-day vacations.
"The Downeaster stops in so many great and walkable destinations like Freeport, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, and Brunswick," Amtrak marketing director Natalie Bogart said in a statement. "And there's a trolley from the Wells station to southern Maine beaches. This pass gives locals, as well as visitors spending multiple nights in the area, the flexibility to travel without the hassle and expense of driving and parking."
"We're so excited about this pass and hope it will encourage visitors and locals from nearby communities to come to Portland without having to drive," Visit Portland CEO Lynn Tillotson said. "With so many attractions now located near the station on Thompson's Point, and a quick METRO bus connection available to Hadlock Field, the Museum of Art, downtown Portland and the Eastern Promenade, it's so easy to visit Portland - car-free!"
The Amtrak Downeaster is thriving for the rail company, with record-breaking ridership in eight of the last 12 months and revenue records in 10 of the past 12 months. The train serves 12 communities from Brunswick, Maine, to Boston, Massachusetts.
With rising gas prices, traffic congestion and parking challenges in southern Maine, the NNEPRA is hoping the new pass will prove to be an alternative for both tourists and residents.
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