Trains in the USA

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Trains come roaring back

Data: U.S. DOT. Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals Train travel in America is making a comeback. Why it matters: Ridership fell hard during the pandemic. But it's coming back even stronger — as people choose trains for the views, the fares and the sustainability. ? By the numbers: Amtrak is heading toward an annual ridership record, The Wall Street Journal reports. The railroad company's ridership increased on all but two of its routes this fiscal year, compared with 2023. Other train companies, such as Florida's Brightline, are also seeing more traffic. ? Zoom in: Train tickets are typically cheaper than airline tickets, especially when purchased in advance. A train ride from L.A. to San Diego produced less than half the emissions, per passenger, of flying or driving, the N.Y. Times reports, citing a Transportation Department study. A trip from Boston to New York — an electrified route — generates one-fifth of the per-passenger emissions of flying or driving. ? Amtrak's most popular routes include the high-traffic Acela and Northeast Regional, connecting Boston, New York, Philly, D.C. and beyond, as well as scenic rides through California and the Pacific Northwest. The Cascades route from Seattle to Vancouver has seen a 48% jump in ridership so far this fiscal year, The Journal notes. Pacific Surfliner service, covering the Southern California coast, jumped 34%. ✈️ Reality check: Train travel is still a small share of transportation compared with air travel. The Journal reports that over 2 million people pass through U.S. airports on a typical summer day. That's equivalent to the total number of riders going through Boston's South Station in a whole year. What to watch: The 2021 infrastructure bill allotted $66 billion for rail funding. The bulk of that money will be used to expand service and add routes.

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? Parting shot!

Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images An Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train passes through San Clemente, Calif., in May.