Amtrak Sets Ridership Record And Moves The Nation's Economy Forward

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Oct 14, 2013, 09:15 ET

America's Railroad helps communities grow and prosper

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amtrak carried a record 31.6 million passengers in Fiscal Year 2013, delivering nationwide benefits, providing vital transportation services, advancing America's economy and demonstrating the value and convenience of the national passenger rail network. It is the tenth ridership record in 11 years.

"Amtrak moves people, the economy and the nation forward everywhere the trains go," said President and CEO Joe Boardman.

"In towns all across America, Amtrak brings economic opportunities for people, businesses and communities to grow and prosper," stated Tony Coscia, chairman of the Amtrak board of directors.

During FY 2013, state-supported services set a new record of 15.4 million passengers. In addition, all long distance routes combined had the best ridership in 20 years with 4.8 million passengers. Ridership for all Northeast Corridor services reached 11.4 million passengers, the second best year ever. As evidence of a strong ridership rebound following Super Storm Sandy, the Northeast Regional service set a new record.

Also, FY 2013 produced eight individual monthly ridership records, the single best month in Amtrak history and new records on 20 routes. In addition, ticket revenue increased to a record $2.1 billion.

State-supported services are vital links in the Amtrak national network. The power of increasing demand for passenger rail is recognized through state investments to improve service, speed and safety. In addition, states and communities realize stations served by Amtrak are anchors for economic development, catalysts for historic preservation and tourism growth, sites for commercial and cultural uses, and points of civic pride.

Amtrak itself is an economic engine that returns nearly three dollars to local communities for every one dollar of federal investment (FY 2010-FY 2012). This support has allowed Amtrak to place more than $12.6 billion back into the economy through the purchasing of goods and services and employee salaries to maintain, operate and improve its national network.

"This year's record ridership was achieved station by station in the more than 500 communities across America that Amtrak serves," said Boardman. Attached is a listing of the top five stations per state by ons/offs.

To celebrate the customers who ride America's Railroad, Amtrak featured a different #AmtrakStories portrait and passenger story on the Amtrak blog for 31 days. Passengers can share their rail travel stories and pictures in celebration of the record ridership year at AmtrakStories.com.

SOURCE Amtrak