Amtrak ended the busiest November in its 32-year history with ridership total of 2,076,054. up 11.7 percent over last years total of 1,858,345.
All 16 Long-Distance Trains posted double-digit gains and collectively posted a 32 percent surge in ridership, the most impressive gains were realized on the Capitol Limited (Chicago-Pittsburgh-Washington), up 54 percent; The Sunset Limited (Orlando-New Orleans-San Antonio-Los Angeles), up 50 percent; and the Cardinal (Chicago-Indianopolis-New York); up 51 percent due to a route extension from Washington, D.C. to New York City. Regional Trains in the Northeast, which account for more than 25 percent of Amtrak ridership, posted a 15 percent gain over last November.
During The Seven day Thanksgiving Travel period (Tuesday, Nov 25-Monday Dec 1) Appoximately 595,000 passengers boarded Amtrak trains making it the busiest week in its history. Thanksgiving ridership was up nine percent over last year and up five percent over the previous Thanksgiving record set in 2000 when ridership was 566,759.
As it has Done in past years, Amtrak took steps to meet the increased travel demand nationwide. in the Northeast, Amtrak operated on a special Thanksgiving schedule that provided more frequented service and required reservations. on the west coast. Amtrak added eight trains to the cascades service between Portland and Seattle and went to "All reseved" status to minimized Standing-room conditions on Pacific Surfliners between San Diego and Los Angeles.
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