Amtrak announced that July was its best single ridership month ever.

“Amtrak is delivering record ridership across the country and serving as an economic engine to help local communities grow and prosper,” said President/CEO Joe Boardman.

Year-over-year ridership in July grew 4.8% to more than 2.9 million passengers, an all-time record for most passengers in one month. Northeast Corridor services, state-supported and other short-distance routes, and long-distance trains all showed gains for July.

State-supported routes continue to lead the way in ridership growth. Under federal law, beginning in October, 19 states will take greater control of routes less than 750 miles, but first must reach new operating and capital cost-sharing agreements with Amtrak to ensure the corridor services continue to operate beyond the deadline. Currently, Amtrak has agreements with three states.

Thus far in FY2013 (October–July), ridership is up 1.1% versus the prior year, with strong ticket sales forecasted for the final two months of the fiscal year. In addition, Amtrak set individual monthly records in October, December, January, March, May, June and July.

Amtrak is on pace to meet or exceed last year’s annual ridership record of 31.2 million passengers.