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United States railroad Amtrak sets passenger record in 2024

U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak said on Tuesday ridership topped 2019 preCOVID levels for the very first time in 2024 and reached a record high even with less capability.

Ridership increased 15% over 2023 to a record 32.8 million customer trips, as traveler income hit $2.5 billion, up 9%. over the prior year, while total operating profits was $3.6. billion, up 7%. Amtrak reported an adjusted operating loss of. $ 705 million for the 12 months ending Sept. 30, down 9% over. 2023.

Amtrak's prior record was 32.3 million travelers in 2019,. which was up 45% from 2003.

Amtrak in March stated it was enhancing traveler services on. the East Coast as it aims to double ridership nationwide by 2040. to 66 million passengers and deals with concerns to expand service.

Amtrak said in June it had fewer seats since of a number. of elements consisting of hold-ups in beginning service while waiting for. brand-new train cars.

Congress approved $66 billion in financing for rail projects. as part of an enormous facilities bill in 2021, with $22. billion devoted to Amtrak and $36 billion made available for. grants.

Amtrak's future financing is uncertain. President-elect Donald. Trump during his very first term consistently looked for to cut funding to. Amtrak, which received about $2.4 billion in yearly federal. assistance this year.

In November 2023, the White Home revealed $16.4 billion in. new financing for 25 passenger rail jobs on Amtrak's Northeast. Passage, which is the busiest U.S. rail passage with 800,000. daily journeys in an area that represents 20% of the U.S. economy. Numerous bridges, tunnels and other parts of the passage are in. serious need of repairs.

Amtrak has actually suffered a series of service disturbances over the. last 6 months. Last month, the railroad was required to. temporarily suspend all train service in between New york city and. Washington for a number of hours due to overhead power problems in. Philadelphia, interfering with the travel plans of countless. riders.

Simply over 14 million passengers took a trip in the 12 months. ending Sept. 30 on the hectic northeast corridor consisting of. Washington and Boston. Amtrak carries about 5 times as. lots of passengers between New York and Washington as airlines.

(source: Reuters)