AMTRAK MARCH RIDERSHIP SETS ALL-TIME RECORD

The Coast Starlight (Credit: Amtrak)

Judging from the numbers, travel by train is more popular than ever. Amtrak reported March set a record as the single best month ever in its history. In addition, October, December, and January each set individual monthly records. Their release noted that dispite service disruptions caused by Superstorm Sandy, "Amtrak ridership grew 0.9 percent in the first six months of FY 2013 as compared to the same period the prior year. In all, 26 of 45 routes posted ridership increases and Amtrak expects to end the fiscal year at or above last year's record of 31.2 million passengers."

Also, "Routes with notable ridership growth in the first six months of FY 2013 include: Palmetto (+10.5 percent), Coast Starlight (+10 percent), Illini/Saluki (+9.8 percent), San Joaquin (+8.9 percent), Piedmont (+8.6 percent), Wolverine (+8.2 percent), Vermonter (+6.7 percent), Carolinian (+6.3 percent), Keystone Service (+5.2 percent), Springfield Shuttles (+5.2 percent), Downeaster (+4.8 percent), Pacific Surfliner (+4.3 percent), and Pennsylvanian (+4.3 percent). --Gerry