(The following story by Tu-Uyen Tran appeared on the Grand Forks Herald website on January 14.)
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Amtrak passenger boardings in North Dakota increased more than a third in the last quarter, Gov. John Hoeven’s office announced Tuesday.
In Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Fargo, the increase actually was more than 40 percent.
Grand Forks, for example, increased boardings by 51 percent between October and December, more than any other North Dakota city. Devils Lake increased by 46 percent and Fargo by 45 percent.
Statewide, the increase was 35 percent.
In fiscal year 2003, which ended Sept. 30, Amtrak served a total 24 million passengers across the country, an all-time record.
That’s good news for the beleaguered national passenger train service, which operates at a loss and requires federal subsidies. Some federal officials and lawmakers, including President Bush, had pushed to restructure the corporation.
At times, that has threatened disruptions in services, especially in money-losing routes such as the Empire Builder, which serves Minnesota and North Dakota. The Seattle to Chicago route has a stop in Grand Forks and Devils Lake.
Hoeven has been a proponent of Amtrak because of its importance to state residents.
“Our citizens are relying on the railroad for both leisure travel and business, which underscores the fact that there is a demand in our state for a balanced mix of transportation,” he said in a press release.
Last year, when it appeared Amtrak might not get enough money to continue operations, Hoeven appealed to the president and lawmakers to keep the service going.
Train riders have cited the lower cost, the more relaxed pace of travel and the ability to access smaller communities that are hard to reach by airlines as reasons for keeping Amtrak afloat.
“The most recent ridership numbers make apparent that Amtrak is serving a real need in North Dakota,” Hoeven said.
Amtrak officials credited the growing economy, improved service and a new marketing effort with the increase, according to the governor’s press release.
Amtrak officials could not be reached for comment by press time.