According to Progressive Railroading:
Last month, Amtrak carried 2.75 million passengers — the national intercity passenger railroad’s highest monthly ridership in its 37-year history. July’s passenger total rose 14 percent compared with July 2007’s count. In addition, ticket revenue in July jumped 18.6 percent year over year to $168 million.
"’Increasing fuel prices, highway congestion, airline issues and environmental awareness continue to make intercity passenger rail extremely relevant and popular,’ said Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Kummant in a prepared statement. In the East, Acela Express ridership increased 5.5 percent, Northeast Regional ridership rose 8.8 percent, Downeaster ridership soared 33.6 percent, Keystone Service ridership jumped 26 percent and Piedmont ridership skyrocketed 43 percent compared with July 2007 levels…