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Amtrak loses riders nationwide

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: October 14, 2009

TAMPA - Although Amtrak ridership fell nationwide for the first time in seven years, ridership on the Silver Star that serves Tampa on its daily New York-Miami northbound and southbound runs grew 1.1 percent to 371,235 passengers for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30.

Data for passengers using Tampa's Union Station was not available. Amtrak has said Tampa arrivals and departures account for about a one-third of the Silver Star's ridership.

Nationwide, Amtrak ridership dropped 5.4 percent to 27.2 million.

Long-distance travel rose 0.7 percent, with better on-time performance yielding growth. Short-distance ridership fell 4.6 percent, mainly hurt by Northeast Corridor declines, where a business travel drop had an effect.
Gasoline prices for motorists continued to be relatively low, contrary to periods earlier in the decade when $4-a-gallon gas prompted travelers to seek alternatives to driving.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817

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