More Americans than ever rode the rails last year, also bringing the agency its highest ticket revenue.
Amtrak saw its highest ridership in fiscal year 2024, reflecting, according to Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia, “not only the need for train travel in America but also the impact of strategic investments” in passenger rail.
“With the help of massive funding from the 2021 infrastructure law, the railroad launched one new train service, expanded four other routes and invested billions in infrastructure upgrades last year,” explains Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive. The agency recorded 32.8 million trips in FY 2024, a growth of 15 percent over FY 2023, and made $2.5 billion in ticket revenue, a growth of 7 percent over FY 2023.
Unsurprisingly, Amtrak’s most successful routes are in the Northeast Corridor, where frequent service lets many commute long distances regularly by train. Amtrak is upgrading many of those trains to faster models that run at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour.
FULL STORY: Amtrak sets ridership, ticket revenue records in FY24
The Passenger Rail Revival Is Here
For the first time in decades, multiple rail projects are moving forward that could have a transformative impact on train travel in the United States.
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Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.
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