Maine's U.S. senators say the Downeaster passenger rail service that links Portland and Boston is getting a $500,000 federal grant.

The Department of Transportation is giving the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority the money for track improvements in the Portland area. The rails are utilized by Amtrak's Downeaster trains. The grant comes in as more people ride the trains and motorists drive less so they can save gas.

Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins say the money will be used to replace aging track. They say in a joint statement that with the likelihood of more people in the Portland riding the Downeaster, it's important that Maine's rail infrastructure is up to par.