Amtrak ridership was up 4.3 percent during the first half of fiscal 2010 with a record 13.6 million passengers. That is about 100,000 more than the 13.5 million the first half of fiscal 2008, when a record 28.7 million passengers rode Amtrak between October and March.
“Americans are beginning to travel again and are choosing Amtrak as an affordable and efficient way to move around the country,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman, noting a slowly improving economy and continued high fuel prices as factors in Amtrak ridership growth.
Amtrak saw growth in its Northeast Corridor, particularly its high-speed Acela Express service, as well as long-distance routes including service between Chicago and New Orleans, and New Orleans and Los Angeles.
Click here to read the release from Amtrak.