Amtrak's Maine Downeaster sets record

PORTLAND, Maine — Amtrak's Downeaster that runs between Portland, Maine, and Boston bounced back from a dip last summer and fall to finish the fiscal year with its best performance yet.

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority says 474,058 passengers rode the train during the fiscal year that ended last month. Ridership rebounded after losing ground in the first five months of the fiscal year to finish 1 percent ahead of the previous year.

Executive Director Patricia Quinn says revenue for the service hit an all-time high as well, at $6.7 million.

Next week, work begins on the upgrade of 30 miles of track to bring the train to Brunswick in 2012. Quinn says the expansion will boost ridership by another 36,000 passengers each year.