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Amtrak Ridership Down, But Still Near Record High
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Amtrak' ridership dropped by more than 1 million passengers during the past year but was still the second-highest year in the railroad's history.

Figures released Monday by the nation's intercity rail operator show Amtrak carried 27.2 million passengers during the 12 months ending Sept. 30. Amtrak's record was 28.7 million passengers during the previous year.

Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman blamed the decline on the weakened economy, although travel was up on the railroad's 15 long distance trains and on some short distance routes.

On the Chicago-St. Louis route, for example, ridership was up 6 percent.

Amtrak's on-time performance systemwide averaged 80 percent over the past year, up sharply from 71 percent in the year ending Sept. 30, 2008.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
10 12 09 by Newsroom
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