Amtrak carries record number despite Superstorm Sandy

october 14, 2013 (WASHINGTON) (WLS) -- Railroad officials say Amtrak carried a record number of passengers in the year ending Sept. 30 despite Northeast service that was temporarily knocked out by Superstorm Sandy.

The nation's passenger railroad network carried 31.6 million riders during the 2013 federal budget year. Amtrak's long-distance routes recorded their best ridership in 20 years with 4.8 million passengers.

Ridership for all of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington reached 11.4 million passengers, the second-best year for the corridor. That was despite service interruptions when Superstorm Sandy slammed into New York, New Jersey and Connecticut last October, flooding tunnels and tracks.

Ticket revenues also increased to a record $2.1 billion. Amtrak relies on federal subsidies for a small share of its operating expenses.

Illinois On/Off Riders

Chicago, IL 3,522,388
Bloomington-Normal, IL 263,235
Springfield, IL 202,095
Champaign-Urbana, IL 190,851
Carbondale, IL 135,891
Total Illinois Ons/Offs - 5,178,600

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Get more National/World »

national/world

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•