ROCKLAND – Patricia Quinn, of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, addressed the Rockland City Council and members of the community Wednesday, January 24, at Rockland City Hall, responding to the public’s questions about the pending test of Amtrak train service from Boston to Rockland, and back again.

The Amtrak Downeaster service is an effort to "test the waters," said Quinn.

The proposed service could start in July and run through September. Quinn said there could be a three-year commitment to Rockland.

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) is a public transportation authority created in 1995 by the Maine State Legislature to develop and provide passenger rail service between Maine and Boston and points within Maine. NNEPRA manages the budget, contracts, promotion, and customer services associated with the Downeaster passenger rail service.

The crowd, estimated at around 80 people, spoke in favor of the service.

Betsy Rich, who lives near the rail terminal, said the service would mean people are coming to Rockland, spending money and creating jobs.

"It's a matter of people working together to make this work," she said.

The crowd agreed that traffic was one factor keeping people from traveling to the Midcoast. Train service would alleviate that stumbling block to tourism.

The city would be responsible for some upgrades to the train terminal. Lighting was one point that the city would need to address.

Rockland City Manager Tom Luttrell said he does not have an estimate on the cost of lighting but that the work to the platform would be minimal.

Following the meeting, Quinn said her goal was to let the people of Rockland know what is being talked about and what NNEPRA is thinking about.

"Generally people are supportive," she said. "They have some concerns and questions, which is perfectly reasonable and hopefully we can work through those and make something happen. It was a good dialogue and that's what we hoped for today."

Maine State Senator Dave Miramant, D-Camden, who serves on the state's transportation committee, felt there was good support for the service.

"People are a little hesitant because there are some expenses," he said. "Compared to the benefit they are small. The benefit of having more people without more vehicles, overnight stays because of the proposed schedule, or even a double overnight stay for people coming up from Boston is exactly what I'm hearing on the transportation committee that is exactly what the younger generation is looking for."

Miramant said our Midcoast Maine is unique and magic and that's what they want.