From CNBC:

As domestic travel rebounds, Amtrak experiences an increase in ridership as travelers opt for trains over planes. The advantages of trains, such as cost, comfort, and environmental benefits, are driving more people to choose Amtrak, especially in the Northeast corridor.

High airline ticket prices and uncertainty in the airline industry have also contributed to the shift towards train travel, making the overall travel time of train routes comparable to flight times.

Passengers like Leonor Grave find train travel to be a more enjoyable and hassle-free experience, with fewer delays and cancellations compared to air travel. Others, such as Chiara Dorsi, appreciate the cost savings, convenience, and ability to work during the journey.

Furthermore, the environmental benefits of train travel have also attracted more riders, with communal travel contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to air travel, according to experts.

Despite an increase in ridership, Amtrak’s on-time performance has declined since the pandemic, with delays attributed to issues with host railroads. To address this, Amtrak is investing in upgrades to trains, infrastructure, and longer routes to improve reliability and increase ridership.

While these upgrades are expected to revolutionize train travel and double ridership by 2040, it will take time for these improvements to fully materialize. Despite its imperfections, the overall appeal and growth of Amtrak suggest an exciting future for train travel in the United States.



Read more: Travelers increasingly turn to taking Amtrak trains over flights