Posted by Tom Mathews, Iowa Chapter transportation issue chair --------------------------------------------------------- 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. # # # - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]