Record numbers of passengers continue to choose Amtrak for their travel needs making July the best single ridership month ever in its history.
“Amtrak is delivering record ridership across the country and serving as an economic engine to help local communities grow and prosper,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman.
Year-over-year ridership in July grew 4.8 percent to more than 2.9 million passengers, an all-time record for most passengers in one month. Northeast Corridor services, state-supported and other short-distance routes, and long-distance trains all showed gains for July.
State-supported routes continue to lead the way in ridership growth. Under federal law, beginning October 1, 2013, 19 states will take greater control of routes less than 750 miles, but first must reach new operating and capital cost-sharing agreements with Amtrak to ensure the corridor services continue to operate beyond the deadline. Currently, Amtrak has agreements with three states.
Thus far in FY 2013 (October – July), ridership is up 1.1 percent versus the prior year, with strong ticket sales forecasted for the final two months of the fiscal year. In addition, Amtrak set individual monthly records in October, December, January, March, May, June and July. Amtrak is on pace to meet or exceed last year’s annual ridership record of 31.2 million passengers.
Boardman explained Amtrak is a vital part of the national transportation network and provides mobility, connectivity, economic development and jobs. Since 2010, for every dollar of federal investment, America’s Railroad(r) has returned nearly $3 back into the economy, he said.