Armies of workers migrating to and from North Dakota's rich oil fields have made Williston's train depot the busiest Amtrak stop in the state and the fastest-growing station in the nation, the railroad said.Go to the link for the rest of a very interesting story.
The once-sleepy little train station in western North Dakota where the sole ticket agent knew passengers by name is now overflowing with oil workers, Amtrak regional manager Dan Valley said.
"Now it's strangers from the oil field," Valley said. "You can walk in and smell the petroleum."
Not that the federally funded rail corporation is complaining. The spike in ridership at the Williston depot helped offset losses the railroad suffered last year due to heavy spring flooding in North Dakota and other parts of the upper Midwest.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Williston's Amtrak Station is Fastest Growing Passenger Depot in the USA -- The Williston Basin, North Dakota, USA
Link here to The Republic, Columbus, Indiana.
Not only is demand up on the Empire Builder, prices are WAY up. A year ago Chicago-Williston was 90 dollars each way on a last minute purchase. Today it is 262. By comparison, Chicago Denver is 110. Want to take a trip to the coast? EB will set you back 354, California Zephyr 195.
ReplyDeleteI thought the prices were a lot higher when I rode before. That explains why I can't afford Amtrak any more. I now fly. Sad. I so enjoyed Amtrak. And to think if they would only add another car or two.
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