Amtrak's operating revenue increased 3.6 percent year over year to $3.3 billion for its 2019 fiscal year, helping to cut its operating loss more than 80 percent in that timeframe.
Ridership for the fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, increased by 800,000 passengers year over year to 32.5 million. Growth was highest on the Acela line, up 4.3 percent year over year.
Capital investment was up 9.4 percent year over year to $1.6 billion, a figure that included $713 million in infrastructure projects, $110 million in such technology as updating the Amtrak mobile app and introducing assigned seating for Acela First Class, $437 million on fleet improvements and $143 million on station improvements. Amtrak president and CEO Richard Anderson said the rail service has "an aggressive plan to continue to advance our safety program, refresh train interiors, improve amenities and renew stations and infrastructure."
Amtrak reported an operating loss of $29.8 million for the fiscal year, which it called its "best operating performance in history." Last year, the organization lost more than $170 million. Amtrak board chair Tony Coscia said the investments "have put us on track to break even in 2020, which would be a first in Amtrak's history."