Amtrak carries record number of passengers

WASHINGTON — Railroad officials say Amtrak carried a record number of passengers in the year ending Sept. 30 despite Northeast service that was temporarily knocked out by Superstorm Sandy.

The nation’s passenger railroad network carried 31.6 million riders during the 2013 federal budget year. Amtrak’s long-distance routes recorded their best ridership in 20 years with 4.8 million passengers.

Ridership for all of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington reached 11.4 million passengers, the second-best year for the corridor. That was despite service interruptions when Superstorm Sandy slammed into New York, New Jersey and Connecticut last October, flooding tunnels and tracks.

Ticket revenues also increased to a record $2.1 billion. Amtrak relies on federal subsidies for a small share of its operating expenses.