AUGUSTA — Passenger rail enthusiasts say new polling results show widespread support for extending service to northern Maine.

The Maine Rail Group hired Digital Research Inc. to poll 600 registered voters on how often they would use the service. Results show 58% say they would use it at least occasionally, with 62% saying they would support a bond to borrow the money to pay the state’s share of the cost.

The survey results come as the group, a statewide nonprofit, is hoping to convince lawmakers to support LD 487, which proposes consideration of expanding Amtrak’s Downeaster from Portland through Lewiston/Auburn, Waterville, Bangor and Orono.

“We’re trying to overcome that belief that there aren’t any people living in northern Maine,” said Peter Cole, head of the rail group. “We’re pointing out that this would tie together the entire state. It would serve the three largest cities, Portland, Lewiston/Auburn and Bangor.” 

And of course, Orono is home to the state’s flagship university campus, the University of Maine, he said.

Part of the effort is to find alternatives to car travel and to give tourists a chance to explore more of Maine. A stop in Bangor could help more people get to Acadia National Park, he said.

During a March public hearing on the bill, Rep. Tavis Hasenfus (D-Winthrop) encouraged his colleagues to support the measure, which directs the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority to apply for federal funds to study the new rail corridor.  

Congress already approved the funds through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, he said.

“If we don’t do this now, we will forgo this opportunity forever,” he told members of the Transportation Committee. “This really is the absolute last chance for the state to get passenger rail to northern Maine.”

The committee has yet to hold a work session on the bill.