AUGUSTA (AP) – Some Maine lawmakers want to give Pan Am Railways the boot because of complaints that it’s failing to provide timely and consistent service to many of its manufacturing customers.

A legislative committee wants the state to use an obscure federal statute to force Pan Am to sell the company’s lines in Maine to the state. Then the state would choose another railroad company.

State Rep. Stacey Fitts says there’s no evidence that the railroad has improved service since the Legislature first began prodding it to do so three years ago. David Fink, president of Pan Am Railways, says the company runs a safe and profitable railroad. He says he was unaware of the complaints.

The Utilities and Energy Committee voted last week to direct the Maine Department of Transportation to consider petitioning the Surface Transportation Board to force Pan Am to sell the line. The agencies would report back to the Legislature during the next session.