CHICAGO – Amtrak announced another new record for Amtrak passenger train ridership in Illinois. Fiscal year-end figures released show healthy increases throughout the nation and particularly in the Midwest.
Among Illinois routes, the Chicago to St. Louis corridor registered the largest ridership increase and all other state trains saw improved ridership. The Chicago to St. Louis corridor is Illinois’ high-speed rail signature route.
“We are encouraged to see more travelers and thank them for choosing Amtrak as their mode of transportation,” said Amtrak Board Chairman Tom Carper of Macomb. “We believe these figures reinforce the concept that frequent, reliable trains with highway-competitive travel times can attract a significant ridership base. We will continue to strive to give travelers the best service possible with fast, convenient and reliable service.”
Total Amtrak ridership on routes operated with Illinois Department of Transportation (Illinois DOT) partnership was 1,969,093 for the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2010 — an increase of 130,418 passengers or a 7 percent gain from the previous year’s 1,838,675 riders.
