Paul1705 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 8:10 pmThat is indeed a long period of time. But, even though no one expected to get back to the peaks of 1917 or 1945, Amtrak has not become a significant transportation alternative outside of the Northeast.
To an extent that's raising the bar beyond reason. I would note first the market share that Amtrak has clawed back from the airlines in the Northeast. Intercity rail was well on its way to total failure, even on the Northeast Corridor in 1971.
Second the peaks of 1917 and 1945 would have to be separated between locals and Intercity service. Amtrak operates the latter while the state agencies now operate the former.
Assuming we could derive separated figures I think we would find that on a ridership basis Amtrak has surpassed the former Southern Pacific operations in California, Great Northern operations in Oregon/Washington, Milwaukee Road in Illinois/Wisconsin, Southern Railroad in North Carolina, multiple railroads in Virginia, and the Boston & Maine in New Hampshire and Maine.
It also appears likely that based on current plans for the
Downeaster that the extension of the fifth roundtrip to Brunswick will likely result in ridership levels on the former Maine Central at or close to their post WWII peak for that particular segment.
Based on this trend and current financial performance it is my considered opinion that the company has never been in better shape than it is today.