Amtrak trains in Michigan had a record number of riders and revenue for the fiscal year that ended last month. Michigan Department of Transportation spokeswoman Janet Foran says Amtrak riders have increased steadily since 2008 when gas prices spiked over $4 per gallon.
Nearly 800,000 people rode one of three passenger train lines in the state bringing in close to $28 million in ticket revenue “It goes to show that people like to have transportation choices,” Foran said.
The record numbers come despite major slow-downs over the summer on the most popular line from Detroit to Chicago.
The biggest ridership increase was on the line that runs from Port Huron through East Lansing to Chicago.
Foran says the summer months and the upcoming holiday season are the busiest times for train riders.
