» West of Albany Ridership UP 18%

Higher Gas Prices, Lowered Rail Fares and Increased Reliability Boost Ridership Across Upstate New York

As reported in Amtrak’s February 2006 Monthly Performance Report (PDF), ridership on trains operating west of Albany was up 17.8% in February 2006 as compared to February 2005 and up 14.8% to Amtrak’s February 2006 budget. Three daily Empire Corridor trains serve cities across upstate New York, in addition to the New York to Chicago Lake Shore Limited.

Even more impressive, west of Albany revenues were up 22.8% in February 2006 compared to February 2005 and up 14.9% to budget.

Other increases ridership increases were noted on the Ethan Allen Express, up 9.8% in February 2006 and on the Lake Shore Limited, up 17.0% in February.

Year-to-date (October ‘05 through February ‘06) ridership figures show west of Albany trains up 8.5%; Ethan Allen Express up 9.0%; Lake Shore Limited up 18.5% and the Adirondack up 2.7%, as compared to prior year numbers.

Overall YTD ticket revenue for all New York State service trains was up $1,610,040 and the Lake Shore Limited showed an increase of $1,356,624.

With mild winter weather, on time performance improved to 75.4% for New York State service trains in February.