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Amtrak Quietly Posts Fifth Straight Year of Record Ridership |
10 Comments |
| By Steve Balogh in Green Living, Peak Oil, Travel | September 8, 2007 | ||
Amtrak and the national railways have carried a stigma as “relying on government handouts” since the automobile and air travel took over as the primary means for travelers to reach their destinations. I’ve always thought that this was such a bizarre thought, considering that the money dedicated towards maintaining our nation’s roadways and bridges dwarfs Amtrak’s budget. Very few decry the massive amount of spending required to keep our automobile culture happily motoring along.
An article in my local paper, via the AP, reports that Amtrak has experienced a 5 year period of record ridership, due to the high cost of gasoline, roadway congestion, and expanded service.
The money-losing service, which relies heavily on government funding, says it is riding higher, illustrated by the hundreds of thousands of additional riders flocking to expanded routes in Illinois and California. Amtrak is chugging toward its fifth-straight record year for ridership nationwide, helped by high gasoline prices and congested highways and airports that seem to have encouraged people to keep their vehicles parked.
An Australian rider was encouraged by the signs he observed while taking a recent trip:
But the cheery man from New South Wales was breathless about seeing a couple of things he’d not seen in his three previous Amtrak treks across this nation’s rails over the past two decades — Americans seeming to outnumber tourists, and far fewer empty seats.
“It’s good to see the Americans starting to use their trains, because if they don’t use them they’ll lose them,” Hardacre, 53, said recently as Amtrak click-clacked its way from St. Louis to Chicago, just one leg of his month-long sightseeing trip with his wife, Janice.
The White House continues its short sighted look at transportation, with the 2008 transportation budget, which increases funding for the Federal Highway Administration by near $3 billion, while attempting to cut the Federal Railroad Administration funding by $431 million.
As the era of cheap oil ends, we will be forced to find alternative ways of reaching our destinations. Airline travel will continue, but will be priced at levels only affordable to the top tiers of the rich. Those of us who are knowledgeable about peak oil and those who care to reduce our personal impact on the environment must begin to spend our money according to our beliefs, and this includes travel. If we want the rail system to better function in the future, to maintain our freedom of movement, and the continued ability to travel affordably – it is our duty to use the railways now.
Train travel is currently slower than both the automobile and air travel. However, my experiences with traveling by train have been very positive. There are no invasive searches, no lines, and plenty of time to “catch up” on reading, writing, and daydreaming, that we otherwise might not “have the time” for. Several of our writers will be traveling to Yellow Springs, OH for the 4th Annual U.S. Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions. I know for sure that 2 of us will travel by train, and by geographic luck, we’ll be on the same line. I look forward to reading, catching up with some writing, and chatting on our way out there. Sure it will take us a little longer to get there, but let me tell you, I am looking forward to a little peace, relaxation, and conversation to get to and from my destination, moreso than a nine hour car ride by myself.
UPDATE: I came across this AP story as well - Renewed Interest in High Speed Rail
While sleek new passenger trains streak through Europe, Japan and other corners of the world at speeds nearing 200 mph, most U.S. passenger trains chug along at little more than highway speeds — slowed by a half-century of federal preference for spending on roads and airports.
But advocates say millions of Americans may be ready to embrace high-speed rail for everything from business travel to vacations because of soaring gas prices, airport delays and congested freeways that slow travel and contribute to air pollution.
“We have to change these things really fast. The era of cheap oil is over,” said Rick Harnish, executive director of the nonprofit Midwest High Speed Rail Association. “People want choices in how they travel, and it’s time for the states and feds to start providing those.”
[snip]
Congress is considering a six-year Amtrak funding bill co-sponsored by 40 senators that would provide the first matching federal grants for rail projects. The measure proposes $100 million in first-year grants, paltry considering that California alone needs $40 billion for a mammoth bullet train project that would link San Francisco and Sacramento with Los Angeles and San Diego.
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phillip said,
I want to take the train. It’s expensive and slow and the schedules are difficult. We are absolute idiots in the U.S. for allowing rail to languish. This was manipulated earlier in the century by Standard Oil and others. They actually ripped up rail lines. We need to devote much more attention to this. It’s time to invest in rail, and catch up to the Europeans.
James said,
Great news for Amtrak and the environment, thanks for the post. In and around DC we have a reverse trend and it just got worse. The DC Metro fares are going up next year due to the inability of our Federal Government to find a steady funding source for this organization. Metro serves so many and actually does well, but it relies on charity from surrounding Virginia and Maryland. One day our leaders will get their act together, but probably not in my lifetime. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/07/AR2007090702931.html
Event Promoters said,
I’m glad that Amtrak has posted increases in ridership for several years. It’s a very positive sign. I always enjoy riding on trains, and have ridden on many outside the US. I find them to be quite convenient as train stations usually have good central locations in cities. You also get to see the country in a way that is impossible to see from a plane or just not appreciated by car. Passenger railroad is where most of the infrastructure budget should be focused particularly for traveling to and from city centers to suburbs.
Jerry Horvath said,
I am a “gray beard” who adapted to a “minimalist” life style several years ago. Leaving the “other” life style is not necessarily a deprivation. My “minimalist” life style is intellectually, physically, and spiritually full. Part of the minimalist life style adaption includes no personal motor vehicle. Motor vehicle non-ownership is NOT a hardship. My transportation requirements are filled by use of bicycles and public transportation. For me, the public transportation, bicycle, and my body are interlinked.
For the months of October and November, I am taking an Amtrak and cycling trip that will cross North America. The cycling parts, of from four hundred to one thousand miles, will parallel the Mississippi River and parts of the East Coast.
With the exception of two days, this trip will not include the top hotels, gourmet meals, spas, and entertainment. My type of travel provides a much different perspective of time, space, life, and humanity. It is hoped that passenger rail service and non-motorized corridors will continue to expand. This may give all people a possibility to understand a “different” way to perceive travel and life.
aaron said,
Hello Jerry,
Your travel plans sounds exciting. If you’re interested we’d love to publish your dairy of a cross country trip sans car. If you’d like to talk about it we can provide the microphone. Regardless I hope you have a safe and happy journey.
Cheers,
aaron
Keith said,
1) Amtrak does nothing “quietly”. Their high paid govt. affairs ex’s spin the increased ridership qoutes every year, year end, year out.
2)Did revenue increase along with the “additional trains added, and did revenue increase with the increase in ridership. Point Amtrak will give away the off corridor tickets, short distsance, to make it look like an increase in ridership.
3) Has Amtrak reorginzed to actually run the service like a biz. The answer is NO!! Same old bubba’s, not service abilty, no for profit ability, offering the same low class service, so they can increase their own saliries from their 20 years or more hide and slide work ethics.
Dick Cheney said,
Amtrak is a work program for union guys and a cruise line for retirees. Then there’s the silly idea that trains save fuel. Balderdash!
NYCO said,
This story is encouraging, but I fear there is a real culture of underachievement with Amtrak. The last time I rode Amtrak (long distance) was about 10 years ago. It is just difficult to understand how can-do Americanism has touched everything but its national passenger rail service. Trains in the Soviet Union are probably better run.
bob said,
You’ll be happy to know the gov’t is planning to add the same intrusive searches for railroads that they do for airlines. They are starting with Albany NY in the near future – google for news articles. I guess the oilmen in the White House want to make sure that driving is the only easy way to travel.
Lance Erickson said,
Trains do save fuel….you can put 5,000 people on a double decker train. The Burlington Railroad did this years ago. It was a special event. They even painted it gold! The railroads are makeing money. The airlines are bankrupt! What does that tell you about fuel?
Don’t listen to false misleading information based on road lobby people, the people in charge of our transportation policys!