Amtrak is experiencing a surge in ridership, with record-high numbers being reported. The Illini service, a train that operates from southern Illinois to Chicago, encountered a delay on a Friday night, leaving passengers stranded for three hours. Despite the challenges, Amtrak is making a strong recovery from the pandemic, with ridership in the latter half of last year only 3% below its 2019 levels. President Joe Biden has allocated $66bn for passenger-rail infrastructure investment, signaling a potential new era of train travel. The North East Corridor (NEC) has seen the most significant recovery, with a record 12.7m passengers in 2023, representing 43% of all Amtrak passengers. The popularity of the NEC is attributed to its connectivity and superior comfort compared to other modes of transportation. The future of train travel in the United States looks promising.
2024-03-14 10:12:32
Original from www.economist.com
