Amtrak reaches 16-straight months of ridership growth

ProgressiveRailroading.com noted that Amtrak's ridership rose 7.6 percent to 2.9 million riders for February 2011, the best February on record.  Acela Express ridership increased 9.7 percent. The increase also marked 16 consecutive months of ridership growth from November 2009 to February 2011.Overall ridership averaged a 6 percent growth rate in the period. Amtrak said that higher gasoline prices, better marketing and the addition of Wi-Fi on Acela Express helped with the increase.

Amtrak will grow for sure, the trend is unmistakable. I'd like to see the growth for the Northeast Regional trains, not just the Acela. The Regional numbers will show the importance of the NEC for the average commuter and why continued investment in our rail system is needed.