(The Associated Press circulated the following on November 25.)
DES MOINES, Iowa — Ridership on Amtrak in Iowa rose 3 percent to set a record with more than 64,000 passengers getting on and off the train at Iowa’s six stations.
The numbers for the year ending Sept. 30 were the highest since Amtrak starting serving the state in 1971.
The increase is spurring optimism about a possible expansion of passenger rail service in Iowa, but state officials say the economic downturn could dampen that enthusiasm and limit how much state tax money is available to subsidize new Amtrak routes in Iowa.
Nationwide, 28.7 million people rode Amtrak, the sixth straight year of record ridership.
“Certainly over the past year we saw strong growth nationally, and higher gasoline prices through most of this year are the single largest reason for the increase,” said Marc Magliari, an Amtrak spokesman.
Iowa’s ridership record was set despite severe flooding that shut down southern Iowa train stations for about three weeks last summer.
Amtrak has two trains that stop daily in Iowa. The California Zephyr stops in Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola and Creston. The Southwest Chief stops in Fort Madison.
Passenger train supporters are excited about the prospect of expanding service in Iowa. Amtrak has explored new train service in Iowa, but it’s uncertain when, or if that will happen.
Amtrak released a report in April that indicated twice-daily service between Chicago and Iowa City could begin in 2011. The company also is studying possible service between Iowa City and Des Moines and Chicago and Dubuque.
Some state subsidies would likely be required to bring more trains to Iowa. State government currently doesn’t pay subsidies to Amtrak.
Gov. Chet Culver is reviewing budget proposals but hasn’t made a decision on startup funding for more passenger train service, said spokesman Troy Price.
State Sen. Tom Rielly, D-Oskaloosa, is chairman of the Iowa Senate Transportation Committee, and he said he is open to providing money for additional Amtrak service, but is not ready to make a commitment.
“We need to get a better handle on where we are sitting financially,” he said.