BUSINESS BRIEF

Amtrak ridership sets record despite Sandy

10/14/2013

WASHINGTON — Railroad officials say Amtrak carried a record number of passengers in the year ending Sept. 30 despite Northeast service that was temporarily knocked out by Superstorm Sandy last October.

The nation’s passenger railroad network carried 31.6 million riders during the 2013 federal budget year. Amtrak’s long-distance routes recorded their best ridership in 20 years with 4.8 million passengers.

Ticket revenues also rose to a record $2.1 billion. Amtrak relies on federal subsidies for a small share of its operating expenses.