WASHINGTON — Amtrak Keystone Corridor trains, which operate between Harrisburg, Pa.; Philadelphia; and New York, continue to attract more riders, thanks to recent significant capital investments along the corridor underwritten in part by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Amtrak said.
During the month of June, the Keystone service carried 72,091 passengers — a 20 percent increase over June 2005. Since the beginning of Amtrak’s fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2005) through June 30, 2006, Keystone ridership has increased nearly 13 percent to 615,124 passengers, according to Amtrak.
"The Keystone service trains are continuing to deliver reliable service for our passengers every day, and the growth in ridership is testament to their popularity," said Amtrak Acting President and CEO David Hughes, "We are looking forward to serving even more passengers with faster and more frequent service later this year."
Amtrak and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will complete a jointly-funded $145 million capital improvement project this fall on the Keystone corridor leading the way to faster trains, more frequent service and a smoother, more enjoyable ride between Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Lancaster, Pa.
"Our partnership with Amtrak produced a significant system improvement that is nearing completion," said Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "The Keystone Corridor is important to Governor Edward G. Rendell’s strategy of offering transportation options that can help us conserve energy. Faster and improved service on the line will help attract new riders, as Amtrak’s numbers already demonstrate."
