WASHINGTON — More than 28 million passengers rode Amtrak in its 2023 fiscal year, the company today in announcing results for the year that ended Sept. 30.
“Amtrak ridership continues to set post-pandemic records thanks to our customers who were anxious to travel again and attracted to the many benefits of train travel,” CEO Stephen Gardner said in a press release. “This resurgence was made possible by our dedicated employees, our many state and host railroad partners, and ongoing support from the Biden Administration and Congress. We’re inspired by the soaring demand for intercity passenger rail and are eager to continue connecting more people and places.”
The 28.6% million customer trips represent a 24.6% increase over fiscal 2022, the company notes. This includes:
— A 31.3% increase on Northeast Corridor services, with Northeast Regionals up 29.2% and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Acela ridership increased 38% and edged above pre-pandemic levels by 8% in the fourth quarter, although the total of 2.96 million riders remains more than 600,000 below the total for pre-pandemic fiscal 2019.
— A 22.7% increase in state-supported services, which saw an additional round trip in the Charlotte-Raleigh, N.C., Piedmont corridor; restoration of Amtrak Cascades service to Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as doubling of trips between Portland and Seattle; and — albeit on a limited basis — the return of Adirondack service between New York City and Montreal for the first time since 2020. State services including the Downeaster and those in Virginia and North Carolina set monthly or annual ridership records.
— A 12.9% increase in long-distance ridership, aided by the return of a full pre-pandemic schedule. More than 45% of the total increase (204,736 of 450,712 riders) is attributable to almost a full year of operation by the Silver Meteor, which was suspended in January 2022 and did not return until Oct. 14 of that year, early in the 2023 fiscal year.
Total operating revenue (including payments for state-supported routes) was $3.4 billion, up 20% from 2022, driven by increases in ridership and ticket revenue. The adjusted operating earnings of $752.2 million are an increase of $130 from the prior fiscal year.
The company also noted that it made its largest annual capital investment ever, almost $3 billion on rolling stock, stations and other facilities, and right-of-way infrastructure, and that it welcome more than 4,800 new hires. A more detailed list of the company’s achievements in the fiscal year is available here.
“As we build a new era of passenger rail with more modern trains, expanded routes, more frequent service, upgraded stations, and renewed infrastructure,” said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia, “Amtrak will continue to deliver major improvements for current and future Amtrak customers over the coming decade.”
Watch Trains News Wire for further analysis of the fiscal-year results.
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