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Amtrak Reports Record Passenger Numbers

by Hugh Collins Oct 12th 2010 6:30AM
Updated Oct 12th 2010 6:47AM
AmtrakAmtrak set an annual ridership record of 28.7 million passengers for the fiscal year ended September 30. That's 5.7% more than in fiscal 2009.

Ticket revenue rose 9% to $1.74 billion, Amtrak said in a statement.

High gasoline prices and an improved economy helped buoy results, Amtrak said.

"More and more people see passenger rail as a way to get to where they need to go," said CEO Joseph Boardman.

Amtrak ridership has risen by nearly 37% since fiscal 2000.

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linmarco

Don't be too concerned about what the president wants to do for Amtrak. Americans are an independent people and like to have things their way. They welcome change but they prefer it be evolutionary. As long as they can ride up and down the nations highways in their little cars they are happy. Woe to anyone who stands in their way.

October 12 2010 at 3:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kenneth

Great! Revenues and ridership up handsomely, but did they cover expenses? Of course not--Amtrak will forever need Government subsidies to break even, much less earn a profit. Why don't we do to Amtrak what we do to horses who have broken a leg--shoot it! It is time we faced the facts--travel by passenger trains in the U.S.A. is simply not competitive. For long distances, because of the time element (3 days coast to coast vs 6 hours by air) and for short distances, the real (i.e., unsubsidized) cost is much higher than bus or auto. And now, Yomamma Obama wants to spend $8 Billion to build a high-speed railroad so the people of Los Angeles can travel to Las Vegas in under 2 hours vs the current 3 1/2 hours by bus or auto. Of course, once they get to Vegas, they will have to rent a car to get around town. Oh, did I mention that the cost of a one-way ticket would likely be $200 or so? Air deals can be had for $69 or so. Railroads are great for hauling heavy freight over long distances where time is not terribly important, but not so great for people.

October 12 2010 at 10:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply