Word came out last week that the Amtrak Downeaster has set another ridership record, with levels the highest in the train service’s 10-year history.

The increase in the use of this transportation service, which was a coup for the area when the station first came to Saco, shows that word is starting to get out about it.

According to the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, about 50 percent of its riders are commuting for work, while the rest are mostly taking pleasure trips, whether they’re locals or tourists to this area.

The price of gas is certainly a factor when you’re considering a jaunt out of town, and a Downeaster ticket can often be the more economical way to go when you start to do the math, depending on your car’s gas mileage and number of passengers. But that’s not the main driver in the ridership growth, officials believe, since gas prices have gone up and down but ridership has climbed steadily.

It seems the ridership increase is due to people spreading the word that taking the train has several benefits and only a few drawbacks. No, you can’t blast your own choice of music, and you have to mind the time when it gets late at night to make sure you catch the last train. But when you take the train you don’t have to worry about traffic or parking ”“ whether it’s trying to find a spot or paying an exorbitant fee once you do ”“ and you can actually do something useful during the ride, like reading, knitting or finishing some work on a laptop. You can even get up and stretch your legs. The ride is an experience in itself, with an undeniable feel of nostalgia for times when train travel was the major mode of transportation in this country.

There’s no denying that having several people ride one train to their destination is a more environmentally friendly option than having those same people each take their own vehicle, as the carbon emissions are less per person. But it’s also the right choice for those who are solely fiscal-minded; nearly half of the cost of the Downeaster is subsidized by federal and state grants, so technically, you’re already paying for it, so why not give it a try? That’s what 528,292 people did this past fiscal year, which ended June 30. If you’re pitching in for part of their ride, it makes sense to take advantage of it yourself, too.

Local officials are thrilled about the popularity of the train, which is a huge boost to tourism and a draw for those who want to make the big bucks in the big city but want the small town Maine lifestyle when they come home. The Downeaster makes five trips each day between Portland and Boston, which makes it easy for people to live here, even if they can only find appropriate job opportunities in the largest city in northern New England. It also gives local tourists a direct line to experience not only all this region has to offer, but also the big city, without renting a car or sitting in traffic on a bus.

With stops in Saco and Old Orchard Beach, and new stops coming later this year in Freeport and Brunswick, the Downeaster is poised to become even more relevant as a transportation option, and we hope it continues to allow people easy access to this region where they can help boost our economy as tourists or be part of our communities.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski, representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.