Get aboard the train

In view of the hopes pinned on the expanded Amtrak service to Charlottesville, it is with regret that we learn of a decline in Amtrak ridership.
That brief statement doesn’t tell the whole story, but it still has potential relevance for the added Charlottesville route.
Amtrak says ridership fell in the year ending Sept. 30, compared to the year before. However, that seems to be based on a fluke: Ridership in 2007-08 soared at a rate significantly higher than previous years.
The more recent figures still show a gain over 2006-07. An Amtrak spokes-man said the new figures indicate resumption of a long-term pace of growing ridership.
So why the concern for Charlottesville?
The new route is designed for tourism, and a decline in the economy seems to have reduced tourists use of passenger rail — just when the new local route needs to prove itself.
Still, the economy is improving overall. We trust Amtrak will give it a chance to become a vital part of that trend of growing ridership.