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Amtrak registered ridership increases on several Illinois lines during August and fiscal-year 2003, which ends Sept. 30.

Last month, ridership on the Chicago-to-St. Louis State House totaled 26,464, a 34 percent increase compared with the same 2002 period. So far in FY2003, ridership increased about 24 percent compared with FY2002.

Chicago-to-Carbondale Illini service recorded a 24 percent monthly gain compared with August 2002. Fiscal year-to-date ridership is up 11 percent compared with FY2002.

August ridership on the Chicago-to-Quincy Illinois Zephyr totaled 10,177 passengers — a 22 percent increase compared with August 2002. FY2003 ridership has increased 10 percent so far.

Amtrak operates the three lines under contract with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Chicago-to-Milwaukee Hiawatha service — which Amtrak operates under an agreement with Illinois and Wisconsin DOTs —increased 20 percent in August to 42,206. Year-to-date ridership has increased 2 percent.

Finally, Amtrak’s Chicago-to-Grand Rapids, Mich., Pere Marquette monthly ridership increased 27 percent compared with August 2002. The line’s 11-month total is up 22 percent. Amtrak operates the service under contract with Michigan DOT.