The US railway passenger traffic showed a mixed trend over the past decade, peaking at 36.04 billion passenger kilometers in 2013 and experiencing various fluctuations thereafter. After 2017, a significant decline occurred, dropping as low as 18.15 billion in 2020, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-pandemic recovery was evident, with a notable increase of 69.06% in 2021. By 2023, the volume was at 32.08 billion passenger kilometers, followed by a slight forecasted decline through 2028.
Year-on-year variations reflect periodic instability, with major declines and modest recoveries, while the 5-year CAGR after the pandemic indicates a modestly positive but minimal growth. The forecasted 5-year CAGR from 2024 suggests a further slight decline of 0.27% annually.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Impacts of technological advancements in rail transport.
- Government investments in infrastructure and policies promoting rail travel.
- Changes in passenger preferences and behaviors, especially post-pandemic.
- Environmental policies influencing modal shift towards more sustainable transport options.
