Ethan Allen ridership rises

2011

State officials announced Friday that ridership on the Ethan Allen Express is on the rise.

The Amtrak line runs between Rutland and New York City and the Vermont Agency of Transportation said travel north of Albany saw a significant jump last month.

Ridership in May 2011 increased 24.5 percent over May 2010, according to the state, while revenues went up 25 percent for the same period. Ridership on the line south of Albany was up 9.1 percent, which revenue went up 12.1 percent.

Vermont subsidizes the line as part of a contract with Amtrak, and the subsi