Lynchburg-DC route profitable for Amtrak

LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — Amtrak's Lynchburg to Washington, D.C., route is popular and profitable.

A new report says the route turned a profit of about $3 million in 2011.

The report by the Brookings-Rockefeller Project on State and Metropolitan Innovation says 184,907 riders traveled the route in 2012.

Amtrak figures show ridership increased from 149,306 in fiscal year 2011 to 172,106 in fiscal year 2012. The fiscal years end in September.

Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce president Rex Hammond tells The News & Advance (http://bit.ly/161dz59 ) that a major reason for the route's success is its linkage to other destinations served by Amtrak's Northeast Regional Line. These destinations include Philadelphia, New York City and Boston.

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Information from: The News & Advance, http://www.newsadvance.com/