WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Amtrak Sees Record Vermont Boardings
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Essex Junction, Vermont - December 20, 2008
Vermont's subsidy for Amtrak passenger rail service is one of the cuts under consideration in Montpelier.
But at the same time, Amtrak's "Vermonter" is seeing heavy use this holiday season. A record 136 passengers got on in Essex Junction this morning headed south -- and officials say the train was sold out all the way to the last stop in Washington DC.
Al Villa, a veteran railroad employee who works at the Essex Junction station, said, "I think it's very good for people to see this, that people are taking Amtrak, and as you see, it's a very big loading going on here."
A lot of college students will be coming back on January 11th, which will also be a big day for Amtrak's "Vermonter." If you want to take the train that day, officials say it'll be a good idea to make a reservation early.
