Amtrak, or the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, is a railway that runs across the United States. Established in 1971, it utilizes 21,000 miles of rail through the District of Columbia, three Canadian provinces and 46 states, including Missouri. The “Missouri River Runner” line spans from Kansas City to St. Louis and carried a total of 725,473 passengers in fiscal year 2024.
Many travelers on Amtrak feel that the train creates an opportunity to form community with other riders. Numerous passengers explained that unlike a plane or bus, the train provides a friendly environment that encourages walking around and meeting people.
“The boys are going to want to get on their phones,” said Wyona Wildema, an Amtrak passenger traveling to Jefferson City with her grandsons. “And Grandma says, ‘No. We’re going to talk, we’re going to look out the window, maybe even talk to some of the people.’ It’s interesting, the different people that you meet. And I like to meet people.”
Along with the opportunity to interact with others, passengers explained that Amtrak is an affordable means of transportation. Additionally, Amtrak provides an accessible mode of travel for those who are unable to drive cars.
“I don’t see well, so I don’t drive. Over the years, I’ve probably taken at least 350 Amtrak rides back and forth between Kansas City and Jefferson City,” said Rick, an Amtrak passenger.
According to Amtrak travelers, taking the train also allows them to use their travel time in a way that is enjoyable or useful for them. Some passengers use the time to socialize with friends while others stay productive with work, as the trains have wifi.
“It’s comfortable, it’s friendly and we can sit and play cards the whole time,” said Pat Carl, who was travelling on the train with a group of friends for a weekend trip together. “And there’s a bathroom.”
Passengers also preferred Amtrak because it allowed them to avoid driving through areas with heavy traffic.
“I’ve taken Amtrak for business because it was just more convenient and dropped me right in St. Louis. It’s just the more convenient way to go, rather than fighting the traffic on I-70,” said Tom Lankford, an Amtrak passenger taking an annual trip with friends.
While many passengers spoke of the benefits of traveling by train, many also acknowledged the drawbacks. At times, the train experiences delays due to the fact that it shares its rails with other train systems.
“Amtrak is not always as timely as other countries’ rail services are” said Tim Steinhauser, an Amtrak passenger who explained that he has taken hundreds of train rides across the United States and Europe. “But we’ve met so many awesome people and you see a side of the country you never see when you’re driving.”
