16 April 2010

Amtrak Cascades Starts 2010 with Record Ridership Growth

Olympia Washington USA - The first quarter of 2010 set a new ridership record for Amtrak Cascades with an increase of nearly 34,000 riders over 2009, making it the largest first quarter ridership since 1994.
 
Total ridership for the first quarter was 183,773 for all Amtrak Cascades trains, an increase of 22.4 percent over the first quarter of 2009.
 
"Amtrak Cascades continues to gain popularity as a great travel option for people who want to avoid highway congestion and reduce their carbon footprint", said Scott Witt State Rail and Marine Director. "With the addition of the second train service to Vancouver, B.C. and future expansions in the next few years with Recovery Act funds, this service will continue to be a great investment for Washington and the region."
 
A portion of the ridership growth is due to the additional service to and from Vancouver, B.C. that began in August 2009. A second Amtrak Cascades train service to and from Vancouver, B.C. was added which included first time direct train service out of Portland, Oregon. A total of 32,091 passengers have ridden the second Amtrak Cascades train between August 2009 and March 2010.
 
Compared to 2009, Amtrak Cascades ridership has seen growth each month in the first three months of this year. January ridership was 55,989, an increase of nearly 26 percent. In February, ridership soared to 60,745 for the month for an amazing 34 percent increase over 2009. This growth in ridership was due largely to the 2010 Olympic Games held in Vancouver, B.C. March recorded the highest ridership for the quarter at 67,039, an 11 percent increase over 2009.