Empire Builder ridership down in 2009

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Feb 8, 2010 at 4:18 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2010 at 5:29 PM MDT

HAVRE - The Montana Department of Transportation says ridership on Amtrak's Empire Builder in Montana fell in 2009 for the first time in five years.

The number of passengers getting on or off the Empire Builder in Montana fell by more than 16,000, from 164,551 in 2008 to 148,019 in 2009. The numbers dropped at all 12 Empire Builder stops in Montana.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says the recession led to the loss of travelers nationwide. Magliari noted that 2008 was a record year because of the price of gasoline and that nationally, ridership in 2009 was still more than it was in 2007.

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