Amtrak sets new records

Amtrak again set a new record with 31.2 million passengers for the 2012 fiscal year ending in September, including 11.4 million in the Northeast Corridor, a 4.8 percent increase.

Nationwide Amtrak revenue rose 6.8 percent to above $2 billion, also a record. Amtrak plans to detail passenger counts by state and rail line in mid-October.

Since the 2000 fiscal year, Amtrak ridership is up 49 percent, with the railroad crediting WiFi availability, online ticket purchases, and high gas prices among contributing factors.

Amtrak said system-wide on-time performance increased to 83 percent, up from 78 percent and its highest level in 12 years.