By Railfan & Railroad Staff

More than 28 million people rode Amtrak nationwide during Fiscal Year 2023, a 24.6 percent jump over that same period in 2022, the railroad announced last week. However, it’s still short of pre-pandemic numbers, when the national passenger railroad carried upwards of 32.5 million people annually

Despite falling short of that pre-2020 target, Amtrak officials still touted the numbers as a win last week ahead of a public board meeting and noted that in some areas, specifically the Northeast Corridor, ridership is now above pre-pandemic figures. During the fourth quarter of FY 2023, ridership on the Corridor was up 8 percent. 

“Amtrak ridership continues to set post-pandemic records thanks to our customers who were anxious to travel again and attracted to the many benefits of train travel. This resurgence was made possible by our dedicated employees, our many state and host railroad partners, and ongoing support from the Biden Administration and Congress,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “We’re inspired by the soaring demand for intercity passenger rail and are eager to continue connecting more people and places.”