Amtrak Carries a Record 25.8 Million in 2007

WASHINGTON - A record 25.8 million passengers took Amtrak in the last fiscal year, an increase of 1.5 million over fiscal 2006, the national passenger railroad said Tuesday.

Ridership for the year ended Sept. 30 surpassed the previous record of 25.03 million set in 2004, before Amtrak transferred some services to a commuter rail operator.

Ticket revenue at the federally subsidized company increased 11 percent to $1.5 billion from $1.37 billion in 2006. Total revenue was $2.2 billion, Amtrak said. That number includes money states pay for specific trains and revenue from other contract services.

Amtrak received $1.3 billion in federal funding for fiscal 2007.

"Highway and airway congestion, volatile fuel prices, increasing environmental awareness, and a need for transportation links between growing communities, are some of the factors that make intercity passenger rail extremely relevant in today's world," Amtrak President Alex Kummant said in a statement.

"Our record-setting ridership and ticket revenue in FY07 indicate the stage is set for Amtrak to take on a role as not only a contributor to the nation's transportation network, but as a leader among modes," he added.

The Northeast saw the biggest leap in revenue - by 14 percent to $829.3 million, Amtrak said. The Acela Express, Amtrak's high-speed Boston-Washington service, experienced a 20 percent jump in ridership to 3.1 million passengers and a 23 percent increase in revenue to $403.5 million.

Illinois was another big source of new riders after the Illinois Department of Transportation more than doubled its contract with Amtrak, providing much more frequent service within the state.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)