PORTLAND (AP) — An advisory group looking at whether expanded passenger rail service should be offered in Maine is holding its second meeting this week.

The 13-member Maine Passenger Rail Advisory Council is scheduled to meet Wednesday.

The council was established by the administration of Gov. Paul LePage to help the state establish criteria for prioritizing possible routes.

Sue Moreau, who manages multi-modal planning at the Maine Department of Transportation, told the Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1eloo3Y ) the group will also help the state develop proposals for federal funding based in part on the economic development opportunities that rail can provide for communities.

Moreau and Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which manages Amtrak’s Downeaster service, are co-chairs of the advisory group.