Amtrak Adding Acela Express Stops in New Jersey

ATLANTA – Amtrak in 2009 saw its second-highest ridership since its inception 38 years ago, the railroad announced. During Fiscal Year 2009, which ended Sept. 30, nearly 27.2 million people rode Amtrak. Fiscal Year 2008 still remains a record for the railroad, with 28.7 million riding the rails, however, 2009’s numbers represented a ridership increase of 5.1 percent over 2007. “In a difficult year for the economy – particularly in the travel industry – Amtrak ridership has remained strong albeit with some regional variation,” Amtrak President and CEO Joseph H. Boardman said in a news release. “In particular, reduced business

New Jersey Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, D-Union, today voiced strong concern over the frequent delays and disruptions in NJ Transit service and emphasized the urgent need for improved service and customer satisfaction.

The federal government could allocate nearly $6.6 billion in grants to Amtrak over the next five years for “activities associated with the Northeast Corridor.”