Ridership up on Amtrak California trains
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefCaltrans late Wednesday said ridership on Amtrak’s San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner routes were up significantly in the past 12 months, citing “record numbers.”
Led by the San Joaquin corridor, which serves California’s Central Valley and linking Los Angeles and Bakersfield with Sacramento and the Bay Area, California’s state supported intercity passenger rail corridors had banner years. Compared to May 2010, ridership on the San Joaquin, the nation’s fifth-busiest rail corridor, shot up more than 12%, with a 19% increase in revenue, Caltrans said.
The Pacific Surfliner, the second busiest intercity passenger rail route in the nation, links San Luis Obispo with San Diego via Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. It experienced a 4% climb in ridership and a 9% increase in revenue, Caltrans said.
“These incredible ridership and revenue numbers show that by providing reliable, high quality service, Californians will leave their cars to ride trains,” said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
With five million annual passengers, California has more than 20% of all Amtrak riders. Since 1990, Caltrans has invested more than $1.3 billion in infrastructure and equipment for intercity passenger rail and about $1 billion in operating support.
