How do we define a “successful” freight or passenger rail system?
• A successful freight rail system is one that provides essential freight services to Maine-based industries and businesses in an economical and safe manner. By economical, we mean it must generate sufficient revenue to maintain the track and equipment needed to provide the required services to pay its employees and make a profit. • A successful passenger rail system is one that provides a safe and comfortable passenger rail service environment connecting persons to places they might not otherwise be able to travel to and doing so in a manner that time competitive with automobile travel. It provides improved mobility for residents and visitors within the state, and connectivity to the national passenger rail and intercity highway networks. It is expected that some level of public support is required for this service as fare revenue cannot provide adequate capitol for the operation and maintenance of most U.S. based passenger rail networks.
