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DES MOINES (AP) — Amtrak ridership in Iowa broke a record this year, despite a recession that has hurt the state’s economy and reduced business travel nationally.
A total of 66,286 passengers got on and off Amtrak trains at Iowa stations during the federal budget year that ended Sept. 30. That was an increase of 3 percent, or an additional 2,026 passengers compared with a year earlier, which also set a record. It was the most in Iowa since Congress created Amtrak in 1971, officials said.
In comparison, airline passenger counts at the Des Moines airport were down 8.2 percent from January through October compared with the same period last year.
Amtrak operates two daily trains that pass through Iowa between Chicago and the West Coast. The California Zephyr stops in Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola and Creston. The Southwest Chief stops in Fort Madison.
Proposals are pending for expansion in Iowa: for Chicago-to-Dubuque service, and for a Chicago-to-Iowa City train that would stop in the Quad Cities. Train supporters also hope someday to extend an Iowa City train to Des Moines and eventually to Omaha.
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