Bay Area Amtrak nearly sets ridership, revenue records despite low gas prices

SAN FRANCISCO -- One Bay Area Amtrak rail corridor nearly set a record for ridership and revenue in November, despite lower gas prices, Amtrak officials have announced.

November data for the San Joaquin line to Bakersfield from both Sacramento and San Francisco show that November ridership and revenue was at its second highest level in more than a decade.

The San Joaquin is the fifth busiest corridor in the Amtrak nationwide system, according to the company.

"Intercity passenger rail is an important component of a sustainable, multimodal transportation system for today and the future," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

Caltrans manages and funds the San Joaquin corridor under the Amtrak California banner.

Amtrak says that falling gas prices usually reduce ridership on its corridors, but ridership was up on all California routes, even though gas prices were down 15 percent from a year ago.

Amtrak says travelers may be recognizing the environmental benefits of train travel.