On AMTRAK's web site is an artice quoting Boardman that 1st quarter (oct 2009 - dec 2009) 2010 ridership set a new record for any 1st quarter. Actual ridership figures are posted further down the article.
1st Qs 7.2 million if multiplied by 4 would be 28.8 which would be over FY-2008's record of 28.7 (best AMTRAK year). Of course the awful weather this January will reduce 2nd Q traffic.
Most routes were up somewhat but a very bright spot is the new Lynchburg - WASH train.
an unbelievable 29,700 pass for the quarter and 11,200 for December. (157 / train / day [quarter]and 182/train/day [Dec} There was only a 300 - 400 loss on the Cresent trains so these are new (essentially) passengers. These figures validate what Oltmann and Phoebee Vet had been saying about the need for more seats Charlottesville - WASH.
It will be interesting when the additional RIC - WAS train is implemented.
sour note ----- the ACCELA and NEC were down again. LD and some short haul made up the difference
More information:
In Dec 2009 ridership up on every LD route except the Cardinal. Maybe the poor on time has caught up with the Cardinal ormaybe its times at certain stations?
In the NE downs were ACCELA and NEC.
Biggest short haul loss was the surfliners with a loss of 25,000+. Contrast that with a 10,000+ on Capital corrridor and San Jaoquin.
All in all a good december and hope it continues.
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