CINCINNATI – A new report released to Congress by the State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee (SAIPRC) highlights the significant economic benefits of state-supported passenger rail services, underscoring their role in creating jobs, driving economic development, and improving mobility across the nation. All Aboard Ohio recognizes this report as a powerful testament to the value of investing in passenger rail.

The report, titled "Economic Benefits of State-Supported Passenger Rail Services," reveals that these services generated an estimated $4.4 billion in economic value and supported nearly 43,000 jobs nationwide in federal fiscal year 2024. This economic activity translated into more than $2.7 billion in earnings.

Key findings from the report include:

• A Growing Network: There are currently 30 state-supported Amtrak routes operating in 20 states and three Canadian provinces.

• Ridership Surge: State-supported routes carried 14.5 million annual riders in 2024, accounting for 44% of all Amtrak riders nationwide and 80% of Amtrak's ridership growth between 2009 and 2019.

• Job Creation: The economic benefits come from several sources, including daily operations, capital investments, and tourism. Daily operations alone support over 11,000 jobs, generating approximately $867 million in annual earnings.

• Tourism and Development: In 2024, state-supported rail services transported 2.6 million tourists, who generated an estimated $1.4 billion in tourism spending and supported 21,000 jobs with $1.2 billion in annual earnings. The report also highlights that public investments in stations can spur private investments, sometimes at a ratio of two-to-one.

• Enhanced Mobility: The report found that rail provides an alternative to congested highways, saving road users an estimated $113 million in travel time annually. State-supported rail services connect 152 million residents, 68 million jobs, and 8.5 million college students across the country. This expanded mobility provides access to employment, education, and healthcare for travelers, including the 19 million Americans with travel-limiting disabilities.

The report's findings provide a strong national framework for understanding the benefits of passenger rail, which is a key focus for All Aboard Ohio's advocacy efforts.

Cover photo courtesy of NCDOT