FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATK-98-101
JULY 3, 1998
Contact: Marc Magliari (312) 655-1338

AMTRAK "GREAT TRAINS OF THE WEST" POST RIDERSHIP GAINS
Chicago-based trains to the West Coast and Texas carry more passengers this year than last

CHICAGO -- Increased frequencies and improved customer service are paying off with ridership gains at Amtrak for some of the most famous names in passenger railroading: the California Zephyr, the Empire Builder, the Southwest Chief and the Texas Eagle trains carried nearly 5,000 more passengers in May 1998 than in May 1997. The four services collectively carried 15.6 percent more passengers in May 1998 than in May 1997. Individually, each train's ridership was up by double-digits in May 1998, including a 23.9 percent increase on the California Zephyr, a 25.5 percent increase on the Empire Builder, a 13.5 percent increase on the Southwest Chief and a 56.3 percent increase on the Texas Eagle. "We are beginning our peak summer season with a lot of momentum," said Lee W. Bullock, president, Amtrak Intercity. "Customers wanting to ride the 'Great Trains of the West' should move quickly to make reservations to have the best chance to travel on their choice of dates." "Our crews look forward to the summer as a chance to showcase excellent customer service," said Donald E. Cushine, general manager, Amtrak Intercity Western Business Group. California Zephyr: Chicago-Emeryville- (Oakland/San Francisco), via Denver and Salt Lake City Amtrak restored daily service along the full route of the California Zephyr in May 1997 and ridership gains have been momentous. Ridership in the last 12 months is up by 73 percent, including a 23.9 percent gain in May 1998 versus May 1997. Prior to May 1997, the California Zephyr operated four days weekly west of Salt Lake City. Empire Builder: Chicago-Seattle/Portland, via Minneapolis/St. Paul and Glacier National Park Amtrak restored daily service along the full route of the Empire Builder in May 1997 and ridership gains have been huge. Passenger counts in the last 12 months are up by 35.2 percent, including a 25.5 percent gain in May 1998 versus May 1997. Prior to May 1997, the Empire Builder operated four-days-weekly west of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Southwest Chief: Chicago-Los Angeles, via Kansas City and Albuquerque Although Amtrak has always operated daily service along the full route of the Southwest Chief, this route is also posting ridership gains in the last 12 months, with passenger counts up 14.7 percent, including a 13.5 percent gain in May 1998 versus May 1997. Texas Eagle: Chicago-San Antonio(Los Angeles), via St. Louis and Dallas-Fort Worth In February 1998, Amtrak added a fourth day of service along the Texas Eagle route and extended service from San Antonio to Los Angeles. Twelve-month ridership figures are down 9.6 percent, but passenger counts have risen by 14.7 percent in the last four months, including a 56.3 percent gain in May 1998 versus May 1997. Prior to February 1997, the Texas Eagle operated three days weekly between Chicago and San Antonio. Customers should visit a staffed Amtrak station, call 1-800- USA-RAIL or see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, for details on these or any other Amtrak services. Ticketing, schedules and service information are also available at the Amtrak site on the World Wide Web at www.amtrak.com. Amtrak Intercity operates more than 68 trains daily in 40 states that generate in excess of $400 million dollars annually. It employs nearly 6,400 people and is one of three Amtrak strategic business units.