US train travel reports record year

Amtrak reported that ridership this year increased to 25,847,531, marking the fifth straight year of gains and setting a record for the most passengers using Amtrak trains since the National Railroad Passenger Corporation started operations in 1971.

"Highway and airway congestion, volatile fuel prices, increasing environmental awareness, and a need for transportation links between growing communities, are some of the factors that make intercity passenger rail extremely relevant in today's world," said Alex Kummant, president and CEO of Amtrak. He added:

”Our record setting ridership and ticket revenue in 2007 indicate the stage is set for Amtrak to take on a role as not only a contributor to the nation's transportation network, but as a leader among modes."

Total ticket revenue for the fiscal year, $1.5 billion was an 11% increase over the $1.37 billion in 2006.

Revenue growth was the greatest in the Northeast, where revenue reached $829.3 million, a 14% increase over last year's ticket revenue. The popularity of the Acela Express service continued this year as is evidenced by the 20% increase in ridership (3.1 million passengers) and 23% climb in ticket revenue ($403.5 million) versus last year, according to Amtrak.

Acela Express service frequently surpassed its goal of 90% ridership.

The popularity and high demand for this service also prompted the creation in July of another weekday Acela Express round trip between New York and Washington, Amtrak says.

Report by David Wilkening

Tuesday, December 4, 2007