Amtrak’s Pursuit of Pre-Covid Ridership: Travelers Opt for Rail Travel to Cut Costs and Embrace Sustainability
As the travel industry rebounds from the effects of the pandemic, many travelers are turning to trains as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to air travel. Amtrak, the government-backed U.S. rail service, is capitalizing on this trend as it aims to revive pre-Covid ridership and improve its operations.
One of the main driving factors behind the shift towards rail travel is the soaring prices of airline tickets. With increased travel demand, airlines have hiked up their prices, making flights less affordable for many. In addition to cost savings, train travel offers other advantages over air travel, such as more legroom and a smaller environmental footprint. These factors have contributed to the growing number of people choosing Amtrak trains over flights.
While train routes may take longer than flights, the overall travel time often evens out when considering factors like traffic to the airport, security lines, and boarding wait times. Clint Henderson, a managing editor at travel site The Points Guy, explains that even though flights between cities like New York and D.C. are short, the total travel time is similar to that of a train journey. This realization has led to an increase in people opting for trains, especially in the Northeast corridor where flying between nearby cities may not make practical sense.
Leonor Grave, a frequent Amtrak traveler, prefers train travel for its convenience and comfort. She appreciates that train stations are usually located in city centers, unlike airports which are often on the outskirts. Grave finds train travel more enjoyable as it allows her to move around freely, stretch her legs, and even bring her bike along. Additionally, she finds that delays on Amtrak trains are negligible compared to flight delays and cancellations that have become common in the air travel industry.
Although American trains are not as fast as those in Europe or Japan, the option is becoming increasingly attractive to travelers due to changing dynamics. Chiara Dorsi, a 22-year-old traveler, recently chose a 19-hour Amtrak ride from Chicago to New Orleans over a flight. Apart from the cost savings, Dorsi appreciates the convenience of not having to deal with baggage limits and security checks. She also values the ability to work during the train ride, thanks to Amtrak’s Wi-Fi.
Another compelling reason for choosing trains is their lower environmental impact compared to air travel. Air travel is responsible for approximately 2% of global carbon emissions, whereas train travel significantly reduces emissions. Aaron McCall, the federal advocacy coordinator at California Environmental Voters, emphasizes that communal travel like trains contributes to decreased greenhouse gas emissions. Even in California, where public transportation lags behind the East Coast, more people are opting for Amtrak trains.
While Amtrak has seen a rebound in ridership, it still has a long way to go to reach pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, Amtrak reported over 28 million riders, a 24% increase from the previous year but still significantly lower than the over 32 million passengers in 2019. The Northeast Corridor has experienced a notable bounce-back, with a more than 22% increase in ridership and revenue year over year.
However, Amtrak’s on-time performance has suffered since the pandemic. Delays have increased, and the on-time performance dropped to 74% in 2022, according to a report from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Many of these disruptions were due to issues with host railroads rather than Amtrak’s fault. Nonetheless, Amtrak remains committed to finding ways to decrease disruptions and ensure reliable service and safety during inclement weather.
To enhance its services and increase ridership, Amtrak has been investing in infrastructure upgrades and train improvements. The company plans to invest over $5 million in a program aimed at enhancing train stations, tunnels, and bridges. These upgrades are expected to revolutionize train travel and contribute to Amtrak’s goal of doubling ridership by 2040. Although the timeline for these changes might be long, experts like Clint Henderson believe that once the upgrades are in place, it will be an exciting future for train travel.
In conclusion, Amtrak is capitalizing on the growing trend of travelers opting for rail travel to cut costs and embrace sustainability. With advantages like affordability, convenience, comfort, and environmental benefits, trains have become an attractive alternative to air travel. While Amtrak faces challenges in terms of on-time performance, the company’s commitment to improving operations and investing in infrastructure upgrades positions it for a promising future. As more people choose trains over flights, the development of train routes and connectivity across the country will continue to expand, transforming the way Americans travel.
