If you mean by hard numbers, that would also be disingenuous because the population is far higher now than it was in 1979- 225.1 million vs. 345.4 million.
But if you mean as a percentage of population, that’s different.
Of course population is far higher, but population density and rail infrastructure efficiency are inextricably linked. I’m not saying Amtrak is anywhere close to as good as it should be, passenger rail, especially commuter rail and high speed rail is a national embarrassment in this country.
This is disingenuous, rail is slower and less accessible than it used to be but ridership is actually higher than ever. That map is from a future plans report highlighting certain routes that are being expanded and added. https://media.amtrak.com/2024/12/amtrak-sets-all-time-ridership-record-in-fiscal-year-2024/ https://media.amtrak.com/amtrak-connects-us/
If you mean by hard numbers, that would also be disingenuous because the population is far higher now than it was in 1979- 225.1 million vs. 345.4 million.
But if you mean as a percentage of population, that’s different.
Of course population is far higher, but population density and rail infrastructure efficiency are inextricably linked. I’m not saying Amtrak is anywhere close to as good as it should be, passenger rail, especially commuter rail and high speed rail is a national embarrassment in this country.