ST. PAUL, Minn. – Arguing against pending curtailed Empire Builder train service to Winona, the president of All Aboard Minnesota, Brian Nelson, said Amtrak is missing the point in targeting long-distance trains to stem revenue losses. “When you analyze what’s happened to Amtrak during the COVID period since March, when ridership really collapsed, it is clear that the long-distance trains are holding up much better in terms of a ridership perspective and a revenue perspective,” Nelson said. Ridership in the commuter-heavy Boston-Washington Corridor, he said, is off far more. The plan to curtail long-distance service, like Chicago to the Coasts, scheduled for October 1, has daily trains dropping to three times a week. Nelson said 45% of Amtrak’s revenue since March has come from national, long-distance routes, up 21% from the previous year. “The long-distance trains are clearly holding up,” Nelson said. Proposed cuts would be a “bomb” of $3 billion in flyover country, he said. People depend on these trains:”Families with kids, college students. people traveling to remote areas of the country, they need these trains.” Another deleterious effect involves Amtrak’s Chicago hub: Many connections in Chicago will take two days between trains. Also, he said, rural America without air or bus service will be severely affected.
Earlier: Amtrak on-time arrivals dismal