AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill calling for a study to extend rail passenger service from Portland, Maine, to Bangor, via Lewiston, Auburn, and Waterville, was defeated this week in the state’s House of Representatives, CentralMaine.com reports.
In a Wednesday vote, LD 860 was defeated 82-63, a week after the state Senate had approved the legislation by a 23-11 margin. The news site reports that, while the study would have cost only $20,000, and was supported by officials and economic groups on the proposed route, legislators were skeptical of the cost of a project that could exceed $900 million ,and whether the route had the population to support it.
Rep. Dan Ankeles (D-Brunswick) said during floor debate that previous studies have shown there are not enough potential riders to make the route fiscally feasible, and that the funds and effort were better spent on other public transit solutions. Maines Department of Transportation had testified against the bill in a hearing last year.
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