BRUNSWICK

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority announced Tuesday that it has surpassed ridership goals for its fiscal year ending June 30. Ridership was 511,422 on the Boston to Brunswick rail line, exceeding its goal by 8.8 percent as well as exceeding ridership from the previous fiscal year.

Ticket revenues of a little more than $8.6 million for the same period exceeded NNEPRA’s goal by 7 percent.

All-time ridership and records were exceeded in July and September in 2016 as well as January, February, April and June of 2017.

“These results are particularly impressive,” said NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn in a press release. “Achieving near record ridership in a year of low fuel prices and construction related service interruptions indicates that the Downeaster has come of age in solidifying a durable and loyal customer base.”

The Downeaster experienced its highest fiscal year ridership of 518,572 in FY2014 when gas prices averaged about $3.60 per gallon, according to NNEPRA. The current average is about $2.23 per gallon.

Although Boston is the primary destination for Downeaster riders, there have been increases in visitors traveling to Maine as well. Ridership on trains typically used by visitors have shown the largest increases, and trends indicate that travelers are coming for more than just one day, according to the rail authority, according to NNEPRA.

NNEPRA reported that improved reliability, changes to schedules and increased frequency to Freeport and Brunswick have contributed to the ridership increase, as well as repeat riders.

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