Likely FY11 feat: 30 million Amtrak riders

Amtrak Tuesday said it projects 30 million riders for fiscal year 2011, ending Sept. 30, the first time it has carried such a number in its 40-year history.

The national passenger railroad bases its projection on strongJune ridership numbers and expected ticket sales for July, August, and September, as well as accumulated ridership in its first eight fiscal months. Comparing the first nine months of FY11 (October through June) to the same time period in FY10, national Amtrak ridership is up 6.4% so far. June 2011 was the best June on record, with more than 2.6 million passengers for the month, and marked 20 consecutive months of year-over-year ridership growth, a streak that began in November 2009, Amtrak said.

The company also noted its continued ridership gains are part of a long-term trend that has seen Amtrak set annual ridership records in seven of the last eight fiscal years, including more than 28.7 million passengers in FY10.

“We are having a very strong year because people around the country arechoosing the convenience, efficiency and hassle-free environment of Amtrakto meet their travel needs," said President and CEO Joe Boardman. "Amtrakhas wisely invested the federal funding we have received to improveinfrastructure and equipment. Continued investment in Amtrak and passengerrail will support the further growth of this increasingly vitaltransportation option."