Hoosier passenger-rail ridership, revenue soared in September

The Hoosier State passenger-rail route logged 2,428 riders in September, marking a 46 percent increase compared with ridership in the same month last year.

Last month also marked the fifth consecutive month that ridership has grown on a year-over-year basis, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) officials said in a press release.

The Hoosier State route provides service four days a week between Indianapolis and Chicago.

Ticket revenue totaled $82,324 last month, a 64 percent increase from ticket revenue a year ago.

On-time arrivals averaged 82 percent in September, down from 86 percent in August. CSX has replaced a manual switch near the station in Crawfordsville, Ind., which is expected to reduce one-way trips by eight to 15 minutes, INDOT officials said.

In summer 2015, INDOT signed new contracts for the service with Amtrak, Indiana communities and Iowa Pacific Holdings. Amtrak serves as the train operator and works with host railroads to provide train and engine crews, as well as manage ticketing and reservations.

Iowa Pacific provides the train equipment, train maintenance, marketing and on-board amenities.