(The following article was posted on the Progressive Railroading website on February 23.)
Last year, Amtrak Cascades ridership hit an all-time-high 774,421 passengers, up 14.4 percent compared with 2007, when the previous record was set.
Ridership grew by double digits every month last year, with the highest total hitting about 80,000 passengers in July, representing a 12.4 percent increase year over year.
Cascades service also registered improved on-time performance and higher revenue growth last year. In addition, Amtrak and the Washington State Department of Transportation completed the first phase of a $10 million project to renovate all coach and business class cars in January 2008.
Amtrak Cascades — which is operated by Amtrak in partnership with the Washington and Oregon DOTs — features four daily round trips between Portland and Seattle, with service between Bellingham, Wash., and Portland; Eugene, Wash., and Seattle; and Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.