MAINE PUBLIC • June 8, 2021
The Maine Senate voted unanimously Monday for two bills that would fund studies of expanded passenger rail to Lewiston, Augusta, Waterville and Bangor. One measure would fund a feasibility study of extending passenger rail service to Bangor, and the other would conduct a study of commuter rail service between Portland and Lewiston. All of these cities were once served by private railroads, until the passenger business became unprofitable in the 1950s and 60s. The bills, costing a total of $550,000, face further votes in the legislature.