Methods for Increasing Missouri’s Passenger Rail Business Revenues

This research identifies opportunities to enhance revenue including yield management, creative fare schemes and campaigns, partnerships attractions and institutions. As part of this effort, the authors interviewed overseas rail operators to provide examples of revenue enhancement as well as operators such as Brightline and Amtrak to identify examples and opportunities to enhance promotions, fare revenue and ridership. Within the Missouri River Runner corridor catchment area, the authors identified and analyzed numerous attractions, institutions and municipalities that could partner with to enhance revenue. In addition, USDOT/FRA programs were highlighted to provide numerous funding sources that can assist with capital improvements to the right of way which can lead to greater customer satisfaction and therefore ridership and revenue. It is recommended that MoDOT assesses the local assets and industry practices identified in this study and utilize those which it finds most appropriate to enhance revenue, potentially serving as models for other state supported services.

VIEW FINAL REPORT

Report number: cmr 23-006
Published: March 2023

Project number: TR202210
Authors: Peter Waldt, Dr. Stephanie Atallah, Ronald Hartman, and Tim Watson

Performing organization: WSP USA Inc.