Amtrak ridership has exploded between Washington and New York over the past 15 years, with rail service in the Northeast helping to defray the losses of the federally subsidized passenger train service, according to a new study.

Ridership in the Washington region increased by 60 percent in the 15 years from 1997 to 2012, examined in the Brookings Institution study released Friday.

Recommended Stories

Advocates: D.C. wheelchair cabs in jeopardy as funding expires

Inaugural shutdown: Bridge and road closures threaten massive gridlock

Amtrak’s imperiled success story