As fuel prices continue to rise, so does the number of passengers on cross-state Amtrak trains.
According to MoDOT officials, a heightened demand for seats caused Amtrak to add two additional coach class cars on the St. Louis to Kansas City passenger rail corridor for all trains this weekend.
So far this fiscal year, which began in June, the Missouri River Runner has seen a jump in passengers of nearly 16 percent. Amtrak ridership nationwide is up 6 percent.
Amtrak trains have been supported by the state financially since 1979.
According to MoDOT officials, growth in ridership increases ticket revenues and helps keep the state's costs for the service down. Plus, over the past year, Missouri has received $37 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to improve capacity along the corridor and conduct a comprehensive state rail plan.
For more information about Amtrak's Missouri River Runner schedules and fares, go to www.morail.org or call 800-USA-RAIL.