Resolve, To Investigate Extending Passenger Rail Service to Central Maine

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.

HIGHWAY FUND	2017-18	2018-19
All Other	$300,000	$0
HIGHWAY FUND TOTAL	$300,000	$0

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.