Amtrak ridership steadily increases but capacity needs to increase too

 

In the fiscal year 2013 (October 2012 to September 2013) Amtrak recorded 31.6 million passengers, up from 31.2 million the year before, despite extensive disruptions on the Northeast Corridor, and a new record.  As mentioned in an earlier post, capacity limitations mean a ceiling on the ability to keep this increasing, however.  The Amtrak press release of 24 October dealt with the need for new passenger equipment:-

WASHINGTON -- Production of the first units of new Amtrak long distance passenger rail cars is nearing completion and they are expected to begin field testing this winter.  The cars are being built by CAF USA at its facility in Elmira, N.Y., which hired more than 400 employees to perform the manufacturing and final assembly work. 

The $298.1 million order for 130 single-level long distance passenger rail cars includes 25 sleepers, 25 diners, 25 baggage/dormitory and 55 baggage cars.  More than 120 suppliers in 25 states and 93 cities are providing parts for the new rail cars.

"Amtrak long distance service connects America and so, too, does this equipment order in the form of jobs and economic opportunity in communities across the country," said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. "Amtrak is a major driver in the rebirth of an American rail manufacturing and supplier base that is strengthening our national economic health."

"The long distance routes represent the most attractive business improvement opportunity for Amtrak and the new equipment will help us achieve cost reductions, more efficiency, revenue growth and better service," said Amtrak Board Member Tom Carper.

"We are proud to have CAF-built equipment operate on Amtrak's national network and eager to have passengers experience the improved amenities provided on modern equipment," said CAF CEO Andres Arizkorreta.

"This contract to build 130 new rail cars for Amtrak is having a significant positive impact on our region's economy by creating hundreds of much needed manufacturing jobs," said Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli.

The new long distance cars will replace and supplement the existing fleet and allow cars built in the 1940s and 1950s to be retired.  The sleeper, diner and baggage/dormitory cars will likely operate on eastern routes such as Lake Shore Limited, Cardinal, Crescent, and Silver Service with the baggage cars used nationwide. The first units are expected to enter revenue service during the summer of 2014.  All 130 cars are expected to be delivered by the end of 2015.

Passengers will experience many improvements including:  modern interiors with better layouts; better lighting and more efficient air conditioning and heating systems; additional outlets to power personal electronic devices; improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities; and bicycle racks in the baggage cars.

Long distance trains provide national connectivity and mobility, feed riders onto the rapidly growing state-supported corridor services and deliver about half a million passengers to the Northeast Corridor each year.  In FY 2013, all long distance routes combined had the best year in 20 years with 4.8 million passengers. 

In addition, about 42 percent of identified passengers with disabilities who used Amtrak in FY 2013 rode on a long distance train. Amtrak long distance trains serve 40 percent of America's rural population and are the only remaining scheduled intercity transportation in many places as intercity bus and airline services abandon smaller communities."