Amtrak ridership surge

[GP30M4216]

From the official Amtrak Press Release (which has official ridership charts):

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServe ... Record.pdf

February 10, 2011
ATK-11-019

MORE PASSENGERS CHOOSING AMTRAK
Record January marks 15 straight months of ridership growth

WASHINGTON – The numbers are now in and January is the 15th straight month of ridership growth for Amtrak and also the best January on record with 2,126,429 passengers. This strong performance is part of a long-term trend that has seen America’s Railroad set annual ridership records in seven of the last eight fiscal years, including more than 28.7 million passengers in FY 2010.

“The steady rise in ridership demonstrates a growing demand and the ongoing need for a national intercity passenger rail system,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. “With oil approaching $100 a barrel, we expect to continue to post strong ridership numbers as more and more people choose Amtrak to meet their transportation needs.”

Specifically, there was a 4.6 percent increase in riders in January 2011 vs. January 2010, or nearly 94,000 more passengers. The 15 straight months of ridership growth spans from November 2009 to January 2011 which averages a 6 percent growth rate over this period.

Factors that are contributing to the success of Amtrak include a moderately improved economic environment allowing some recovery of business travel along the Northeast Corridor, sustained high gasoline prices, the increased appeal and popularity of rail travel, effective marketing campaigns, and the introduction of Wi-Fi on the high-speed Acela Express trains.

The highlights below compare the first four months of current FY 2011 (October 2010-January 2011) to the same period during FY 2010 and show increased Amtrak ridership across the country from coast to coast.

East Highlights

The high-speed Acela Express service continued its popularity with a ridership increase of 9.2 percent. Piedmont Service (Charlotte – Raleigh) experienced a significant gain of 110.8 percent following the introduction of an additional round-trip frequency last summer. In addition, Virginia routes had sizable gains with Washington –Lynchburg at 26.7 percent and Washington – Newport News at 12.8 percent.

Central Highlights

The Chicago hub experienced steep ridership gains as led by the Blue Water (Chicago – Port Huron) at 27.7 percent. In addition, the Chicago – Pontiac Wolverine Service was up 21 percent, the Chicago – Carbondale Illini/Saluki route up 15. 1 percent, the Chicago – Indianapolis Hoosier State up 13.3 percent, and the Chicago - St. Louis Lincoln Service was up 11.7 percent. Also, the Missouri River Runner (Kansas City – St. Louis) experienced a 17.2 percent gain.

West Highlights

In California, routes experienced gains including the Capitol Corridor Service (San Jose – Auburn) with 7.3 percent and the Pacific Surfliner Service (San Luis Obispo – San Diego) with 5 percent growth.

National Highlights

Among the long-distance Amtrak trains, the Cardinal (New York – Chicago) had the largest increase of 15.9 percent. Other long-distance trains with strong gains were the Sunset Limited (New Orleans – Los Angeles) at 13.8 percent, the City of New Orleans ( Chicago – New Orleans) at 13.1 percent, the Palmetto (New York – Savannah) at 12.8 percent, and the Lake Shore Limited (New York – Chicago) at 12.7 percent.

[GTW6401]

Average daily number of passengers for Michigan stations in FY 2010.

Ann Arbor - 390
Kalamazoo - 310
Dearborn - 220
Detroit - 190
East Lansing - 160
Grand Rapids - 140
Battle Creek - 140
Holland - 100
Royal Oak - 90
Flint - 80
Jackson - 80
Birmingham - 60
Niles - 50
Port Huron - 50
Pontiac - 45
Durand - 30
St. Joe - 25
New Buffalo - 25
Lapeer - 22
Bangor - 10
Dowagiac - 9
Albion - 4

[Jochs]

This is bad news for J T, who has been longing for a two-car Pere Marquette train so he can fit the whole thing in a photograph in St. Joseph at the depot. Sorry J T, looks like they'll continue to have 3 cars for awhile!!!

[willardgarrett]

This speaks volumes about the future of passenger rail. Oil prices are only going to increase from this point in history, and the economy was far from great in 2010. If that many people are already taking trains, even when they are regularly late and the service is, honestly, far from perfect, imagine the potential ridership that full scale, highway-level investment would generate. One can only hope that political agendas will not relegate this great mode of transportation to a novelty.

[astrofunk76]

It hasn't gotten any coverage yet, but I see Gov. Snyder's proposed budget does include $11.6 million for passenger rail in Michigan (see page 162): http://michigan.gov/documents/budget/4_345976_7.pdf

If my reading of last year's transportation approps bill (http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents ... A-0192.htm) is right, this would continue funding Amtrak at the same level as FY 2011. Whether the legislature will agree...?

[willardgarrett]

Snyder is rare for a GOP member. Most of them are nowhere NEAR as rail-friendly, as it is somehow "socialist" (as if the interstate highways aren't)