Ridership on Amtrak is up for the year, the company reported, despite the disruptions in service during and after Sandy. Amtrak transported a record 31.6 million riders in the past year ending September 30, and made a record $2.1 billion in ticket sales.
The northeast corridor network, which includes routes between Boston and Washington, D.C., saw its second-best year ever, with 11.4 million passengers recorded. The numbers would indicate that more people are serious about taking alternative methods of transportation -- even when problems with the weather or electricity make that a challenge.
In a statement, Amtrak said, "States and communities realize stations served by Amtrak are anchors for economic development, catalysts for historic preservation and tourism growth, sites for commercial and cultural uses, and points of civic pride. Amtrak itself is an economic engine that returns nearly three dollars to local communities for every one dollar of federal investment (FY 2010-FY 2012)."
Amtrak is collecting traveling tales and images of transit from its passengers at a website unveiled Monday called Amtrak Stories. There's also a companion hashtag intended for use on Twitter and Instagram. In exchange for stories and photos, as a prize the railroad company is offering travel vouchers.
