Demand For Passenger Rail Is Growing
July 15, 2002
Americans were already showing an increased interest in rail travel before September 11; Amtrak in 2001 posted its fifth straight ridership and passenger-mile increase. Amtrak demand continues to be strong:
On long distance sleeper cars, ridership and revenue for April was up 13 percent and 18 percent respectively from last year.
Likewise, in the Northeast Corridor between Washington and New York, on a daily basis Amtrak Acela Express carries more passengers than the airlines combined.
Over the past 36 months, the Capital Corridor in California has seen ridership increase 132 percent, carrying annually 1 million.
The new Downeaster between Portland, ME and Boston, MA in the first 4 months exceeded revenue and ridership projections for the entire year.
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