July 17, 2008
SKAGWAY, AK – The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (WP&YR) announced that it carried6,968 passengers on Wednesday July 16, 2008 setting a new daily ridership record.
Gary C. Danielson, President of the WP&YR stated that, “We are very encouraged by this new record as we are operating under challenging market conditions due to economic uncertainty. After achieving 5 consecutive record years, it’s hard for us to know that 2008 isn’t going to be another record year.”
“Wednesdays are the biggest day of the week in Skagway and our ridership record reflects the value of our brand and the cumulative efforts of all of our people. Visitors have become increasingly cost-conscious and we are honored that they continue to make a White Pass excursion a part of their Skagway experience” Danielson added.
The Carcross Service has shown good growth in volumes after last year’s short but challenging season due to high water levels. Holland America volumes are strong and the service is now sold by two other cruise lines and several independent operators as day-trips. Additionally, the Carcross service now offers hikers a northbound option out of Bennett.
“We are at the midway point of our season and I’m confident that we’ll break the 7,000 passenger mark this year yet!” Danielson remarked.
The White Pass & Yukon Route narrow gauge railway was built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush and is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark – a designation shared with icons like the Panama Canal, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. The WP&YR is Alaska’s most popular shore excursion and North America’s busiest tourist railroad, carrying 461,388 passengers in 2007.
White Pass & Yukon Route is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tri-White Corporation based in Toronto, Ontario. The Tri-White Corporation is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange as TWH.
Contact:
Gary C. Danielson
President
Phone: (907) 983-2214
Fax: (907) 983-2017
gary@whitepass.net