Amtrak ridership up in Arkansas 40% for August

Ridership along the Texas Eagle route in Arkansas for August, 2008 was up over 40% compared to the ridership in August, 2007. Ridership to/from the Texarkana station is up 22% for the fiscal year. With current gas prices, people are beginning to look for alternative options in transportation, and passenger rail would be a lot more attractive if (1) higher speed rail were an option and (2) trains were consistent on departure and arrival times.