AUGUSTA – The Rail Passengers Association released a study on Thursday afternoon describing major economic benefits if the Amtrak Downeaster is extended Bangor.The report, commissioned by the Maine Rail Group and Train Riders Northeast, found the extension could generate nearly $62 million in annual economic benefits for the state of Maine, including increased tax revenue and visitor and traveling spending. “It does seem like it would be a worthwhile investment for the state of Maine,” Rep. Travis Hasenfus, a Democrat from Readfield, said at the news conference. “I’m very pleased that they were able to do this study, because now we actually have what we might be looking at for economic impacts, for ridership, and for growth in the communities that this line might serve.”The study looked at a proposed twice-daily extension to Lewiston, Winthrop, Waterville, Pittsfield, Bangor, and Orono. The Association projects there would be about 260,000 new riders in the first year.Hasenfus has introduced a bill in the state legislature to allow the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority to apply for federal funding to conduct a study on the possibility of extending this train route.“It’s thinking towards the future,” he said. “If we need more people in rural Maine to fill our needs of an aging workforce, we need to think outside the box on how to bring young Mainers.” Hasenfus was unable to predict how much this extension would cost the taxpayer, but he says this is something the legislature will have to consider when deciding whether or not to move forward.”What is the economic impact going to be? What can we expect to receive in future taxes and in future spending in Maine?” he said. “Then we can assess how much we feel it’s appropriate to invest in the economic and infrastructure solution for our state.”If the state government does move forward after this further study, he hopes this extension could happen within the next decade.“It’s hard to predict when we would see trains rolling into a station at the University of Maine Orono,” he said. “It would not be overnight, but at the same time it would be relatively soon.”

AUGUSTA – The Rail Passengers Association released a study on Thursday afternoon describing major economic benefits if the Amtrak Downeaster is extended Bangor.

The report, commissioned by the Maine Rail Group and Train Riders Northeast, found the extension could generate nearly $62 million in annual economic benefits for the state of Maine, including increased tax revenue and visitor and traveling spending.

“It does seem like it would be a worthwhile investment for the state of Maine,” Rep. Travis Hasenfus, a Democrat from Readfield, said at the news conference. “I’m very pleased that they were able to do this study, because now we actually have what we might be looking at for economic impacts, for ridership, and for growth in the communities that this line might serve.”

The study looked at a proposed twice-daily extension to Lewiston, Winthrop, Waterville, Pittsfield, Bangor, and Orono. The Association projects there would be about 260,000 new riders in the first year.

Hasenfus has introduced a bill in the state legislature to allow the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority to apply for federal funding to conduct a study on the possibility of extending this train route.

“It’s thinking towards the future,” he said. “If we need more people in rural Maine to fill our needs of an aging workforce, we need to think outside the box on how to bring young Mainers.”

Hasenfus was unable to predict how much this extension would cost the taxpayer, but he says this is something the legislature will have to consider when deciding whether or not to move forward.

“What is the economic impact going to be? What can we expect to receive in future taxes and in future spending in Maine?” he said. “Then we can assess how much we feel it’s appropriate to invest in the economic and infrastructure solution for our state.”

If the state government does move forward after this further study, he hopes this extension could happen within the next decade.

“It’s hard to predict when we would see trains rolling into a station at the University of Maine Orono,” he said. “It would not be overnight, but at the same time it would be relatively soon.”