(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on July 23, 2010.)
Yesterday, Amtrak Cascades reported its highest second-quarter ridership mark since 1994 at 214,641 passengers. Ridership jumped 12 percent vs. second-quarter 2009, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
“Combined with the addition of the second train service to Vancouver, B.C., that began in August 2009 and the strong summer travel season, Amtrak Cascades is on pace to finish 2010 with the highest ridership ever,” said State Rail and Marine Director Scott Witt in a prepared statement.
Total ridership through June was 398,414, up 17.3 percent vs. the same 2009 period.