All Aboard... Amtrak's Busy Future

According to an AP report, Amtrak's Downeaster line -- from Portland to Boston -- showed a 28% gain in riders during the last fiscal year.

Patricia Quinn, the Executive Director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, said the gain was "the biggest of any Amtrak train in the period ending June 30." On average, according to Quinn and the article, "an additional 947 passengers rode the Downeaster every day, and ticket revenue was up by 33 percent for the year." Quinn believes more trains, a more user-friendly schedule, and soaring gas prices contributed to the increase of rail riders.

The success of the Downeaster is in line with a growing number of reports that show more Americans are putting down down the car keys and picking up train tickets. In some cases, trains are selling out, forcing people to drive.

A New York Times News Service piece reported that after decades of declining ridership, 2008 numbers had skyrocketed and many Amtrak routes were sold out during the summer holiday season. The piece also reported that though higher gas prices have served up a new source of willing passengers, all is not perfect for the historically neglected railway system. "[The] railroad and its suppliers have shrunk so much, largely because of financial constraints, that they would have difficulty growing to meet the demand."

--Alex Crevar