Posted by Tom Mathews,
Iowa Chapter transportation issue chair
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National Association of Railroad Passengers
900 -- 2nd St., N.E., Suite 308
Washington, DC 20002-3557

202/408-8362, fax 202/408-8287
[log in to unmask]; www.narprail.org

For Immediate Release
Friday, February 15, 2002 - #02-04

Amtrak ridership was 4.5% above the January 2001 level, and
passenger-miles were up 5.0%. The corresponding numbers reported by the
Air Transport Association for domestic airline service are declines of
14.7% and 12.8%, respectively. Amtrak's passenger revenues were up
12.4%.

* All three Amtrak business units posted gains in ridership,
passenger-miles and passenger revenues.

* Long-distance sleeping cars continue to experience heavy volume and
frequent sell outs. Overall, sleeping-car ridership grew 10% and
revenues grew 19%.

* While these Amtrak statistics represent a continuation of established
post-9/11 trends, they all reflect stronger growth than in December, and
are particularly notable given the continuing recession in the travel
industry.

These figures underline what we have been saying: the traveling public
wants more transportation choices, not fewer, particularly in the wake
of September 11. Public policy should be aimed at expanding, not
contracting, intercity passenger rail service.

At yesterday's House Railroads Subcommittee hearing, the statement was
made that long-distance trains are "used by railfans for nostalgic
reasons." We urge anyone who believes this to get on a long-distance
train and talk to the passengers. They are overwhelmingly using the
train for real transportation purposes.

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