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Amtrak ridership up; FRA study could add third Missouri River Runner train and a Washington platform expansion
Summary
Committee heard that Amtrak's Missouri River Runner ridership is up year-over-year, a Federal Railroad Administration study into route expansion is due this summer and Amtrak has set aside funds for a potential platform expansion in Washington.
Greg, a committee member, told the Washington Area Highway Transportation Committee on Jan. 27 that Amtrak's Missouri River Runner service is seeing higher ridership and that a federal study could lead to route expansions and new service options.
He said first-quarter ridership was up "11 and a half percent year over year" and that the River Runner is on pace for about 200,000 riders this year. Greg reported that Washington, Missouri saw about 4,900 boardings and alightings during a recent three-month period, which he said is a continuing local economic benefit.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is sponsoring a multi-phase study the committee was told. The study will examine options including adding a third daily round-trip on the River Runner, service extension into St. Joseph, Missouri, and a potential Illinois extension that would reach Quincy and Hannibal. Greg said the study is due to finish in the summer and described it as a multi-phase process: initial study, then possible allocation of further planning funds and, only later, requests for construction/service funding.
Greg also reported service interruptions during a December snowstorm that cost Amtrak about two days of operation, and said on-time performance has improved overall but "is a little sketchy in the wintertime sometimes." He credited increased coordination with Union Pacific for recent improvements.
On local facilities and amenities, Greg said Amtrak has set aside money for a possible platform expansion in Washington that would improve boarding for bikes and passengers. He also said Amtrak's onboard bike program continues and now accepts about six bicycles on a ticketed basis for the daily service.
On funding, Greg said Amtrak is budgeting for the next fiscal year and has requested a $1,500,000 state increase for inflationary costs and approximately $3,400,000 for temporary service capacity. He emphasized that those requests are proposals, not guarantees, and described ongoing outreach to new and existing state legislators to make the case for continued support.
The committee heard that two new Amtrak government-affairs representatives are scheduled to visit Washington on Feb. 3 for a brief tour and local meetings to discuss support for Amtrak's budget and service priorities.
The committee did not take formal action on Amtrak items at the meeting; the session was an informational update.
