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Another year, another ridership record for Amtrak. In fiscal-year 2007, the national intercity passenger railroad carried 25.8 million passengers, a 6.3 percent increase compared with FY2006's total and the fifth-consecutive year Amtrak has posted all-time-high ridership, according to the railroad's recently released annual report.

Ridership was especially high in the Northeast Corridor, where Acela Express trains carried 20 percent more passengers and Regional trains, 7 percent more riders compared with FY2006 totals. Amtrak's share of the New York-Washington, D.C., air/rail travel market rose to 56 percent.

In addition, Amtrak's ticket revenue jumped 11 percent to $1.52 billion and total revenue rose 5.4 percent to $2.15 billion in vs. FY06 figures. However, expenses rose 5.8 percent to $3.2 billion, primarily because of wage increases included under new labor contracts with several unions.