BostonHerald.com
Wednesday, June 27, 2001

Amtrak proclaims Acela success
by Doug Hanchett

Six months after introducing high-speed rail to America, Amtrak said its 150
mph Acela Express line from Washington to Boston is nearing ridership and
revenue projections.

Since debuting Dec. 11, the sleek, silver bullet train -- which zips from
Boston to New York City in a mere three hours and 25 minutes -- has had
130,000 riders and brought in $15.3 million.

``The success of Acela Express in its first six months is particularly
significant in light of the lackluster trends in the business travel segment
as a whole,'' said Amtrak President George Warrington. ``The success of
Acela Express proves that travelers want a comfortable, efficient mode of
travel between the major business hubs of the Northeast.''

Amtrak announced the Acela numbers yesterday, a day before federal lawmakers
were set to introduce a bill to provide $12 billion over the next 10 years
to make all the nation's railways capable of handling the high-speed trains.

The financially strapped rail agency, which is under congressional order to
become self-sufficient by 2003, also announced the introduction of a fifth
round-trip between Boston and New York on July 9.

Eventually, there will be 10 round trips a day.


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