Passenger Trains > Is that new "People On board" website accurate?

I like the new website showing the people on-board various trains (walzr.com/amtrak-trains).
but, I don't think it's very accurate.

I don't think they are collecting all the data from intermediate stops.

Am I correct in this?

Good question.  Some trains don't show up at all.  Some only show partial counts  In a case of the Texas Eagle, three days a week it is train 21/22, plus 421/422.  Do the counts on the site only show the 21/22 totals?  It is a neat site and I am glad it is there, but it appears to have come flaws.  Same with trains 7/8.  Do the totals also show the Portland side?  27/28?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/26 19:56 by regalstream1516.

Im kinda wondering about the boards as well.

I know some trains on certain days of the week.
And certain time of the year. boarding may vary.
But I often been Surfliners, the Starlight and even
the Gold Runner/San Joaquins.

The numbers given after each stop.
Almost looks like a number that board the train.

 

Jerry Martin
Los Angeles, CA
Central Coast Railroad Festival

There is absolutely no way that these figures are reliable - this information is simply not available to the public.
The website must be using some estimating tool or algorithm...may like Google maps does to show a place not busy, busy, very busy...

I think it’s directionally correct

I’ll be taking the auto train in 2 weeks and they announce the passenger load on their departures. I’ll check it then to see how accurate

Thanks Bill

Posted from iPhone

Last Thursday and Friday the Silver Meteor numbers were completely incorrect. as were the Lake Shore Limited passenger counts. BUT, I do find it helpful as a general resource and applaud the work that went into it. Just need some tweaking or a disclaimer on the ridership till it is shown properly..........

Late last week and over the weekend some Acelas didn't appear at all.

Yes, I have noticed that many trains are missing of late.  When it launched, everything seemed to be there, but no more.  However, this morning seems pretty close.  However, the site suggests that 100 people boarded the Palmetto in Savannah this morning.  I find that highly unlikely....

Take it with a grain of salt as a fun site, at least for now.

kjmk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Late last week and over the weekend some Acelas
> didn't appear at all.

Over the last hour the "people riding Amtrak right now" has dropped by nearly 9,000. Only 8,219 riding systemwide? It doesn't pass the smell test.
Comparing this to asm.transitdocs, you can quickly see that many trains are missing; trains like #14 (currenty in southern Oregon) and #500, #503, #504, #522, #524, #523, #527, #566, #702, #710, #711, #701, #707.... I stopped there. The list goes on I'm sure. 

What's wrong with you people? If it's on the internet, it must be true. ;^)

JG

OK, well, -- this would be a very valuable website (to we train fans) -- but, not until it becomes accurate and reliable.

We can only hope.

They offer this disclaimer:

Counts are inferred from reservation inventory and may undercount unreserved tickets, pass riders, or routes where Amtrak does not expose full seat inventory.

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com