Resolve, To Investigate Extending Passenger Rail Service to Central Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1312
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: FREY, DUNPHY, HILLIARD, LONGSTAFF, PICCHIOTTI, POULIOT, SCHNECK, TIPPING, KATZ

Legislative Document
No. 1312
H.P. 909
House of Representatives, April 4, 2017
Resolve, To Investigate Extending Passenger Rail Service to Central 
Maine
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative FREY of Bangor.
Cosponsored by Representatives: DUNPHY of Old Town, HILLIARD of Belgrade, 
LONGSTAFF of Waterville, PICCHIOTTI of Fairfield, POULIOT of Augusta, SCHNECK of 
Bangor, TIPPING of Orono, Senator: KATZ of Kennebec.
Sec. 1.  Study.  Resolved:  That the Department of Transportation, in consultation 
with the cities of Lewiston, Auburn, Augusta, Waterville, Rockland and Bangor, other 
interested municipalities and planning organizations and the Northern New England 
Passenger Rail Authority, shall conduct a study and complete a plan for the 
implementation of passenger rail service, including the Amtrak Downeaster service, 
northward and westward from current passenger rail service routes and along existing 
railroad corridors in the central and western parts of the State.  The plan must include a 
process for public review and comment and must incorporate information from 
completed studies and new information, including, but not limited to: 
1.  An analysis of market demand and the potential economic benefits associated with the 
implementation of passenger rail service to municipalities in the State beyond the range 
of current passenger rail service and potential future expansion to Montreal including 
forecasted ridership, estimated annual operating costs and the economic feasibility of 
expanding passenger rail service to various areas; 
2.  The development of a detailed service plan to meet travel demand and identified 
economic opportunities, including frequency and schedule of service, station locations, 
equipment types and seating capacity, marketing, management and operator goals; 
3.  An investigation identifying routes, locations served, coordination with existing 
passenger rail service and connecting modes for seamless public transportation, 
recommended administrative and operating entities, relationships with existing railroad 
owners and operators and synergies between proposed routes and existing passenger rail 
operations; 
4.  An inventory of infrastructure needed to support operations, including mechanical 
facilities, with an estimate of the necessary capital investments; 
5.  An evaluation of potential financing mechanisms for capital and operating expenses 
and an implementation approach and schedule, proposed sources of funds and 
recommended priorities for implementation as justified by expected benefits; and 
6.  A review of potential alternatives and environmental impacts associated with the 
proposed service, including station locations and necessary investments; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Additional funding.  Resolved:  That the Department of Transportation 
shall seek other sources of funding, including grants and contributions from interested 
municipalities, to complete the study; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Report.  Resolved:  That the Department of Transportation shall develop a 
report of the results of the study and plan with the goal of incorporating the report into the 
department's Maine State Rail Plan and the Northern New England Passenger Rail 
Authority's long range development plans.  By November 7, 2018, the department shall 
submit the report and any recommended legislation to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters.  The joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters may report out a bill 
based upon the report to the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature; and be it 
further 
Sec. 4.  Appropriations and allocations.  Resolved:  That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
Multimodal - Passenger Rail Z139 
Initiative: Provides one-time funding to study and plan for the implementation of 
passenger rail service northward and westward from existing passenger rail routes. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the 
Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority and interested municipalities and 
planning organizations, to conduct a study and complete a plan for the implementation of 
passenger rail service in the State northward and westward from existing passenger rail 
routes.  The resolve provides funding to complete the study from a one-time Highway 
Fund allocation of $300,000 in the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. 
HIGHWAY FUND 
2017-18
2018-19
All Other 
$300,000
$0
HIGHWAY FUND TOTAL 
$300,000
$0