WASHINGTON — Amtrak carried a record 28.7 million people last year, with each of its routes seeing gains, the national passenger railroad said Friday.

The company has posted six years of ridership and revenue growth, recently benefiting from high gas and airline prices. The number of trips over the past year increased 11 percent over the 25.8 million taken in fiscal year 2007.

Total ticket revenue for the year that ended Sept. 30 reached $1.7 billion — also a record for the 37-year-old government-owned corporation and a 14 percent increase over the $1.5 billion taken in the previous year.

Alex Kummant, chief executive, said highway and airport congestion, high gas prices, increased environmental awareness and improved Amtrak service all contributed to the successful year.

Kummant previously predicted annual ridership could grow to 50 million in 10 years.

Amtrak, long criticized for its reliance on government subsidies, also has been enjoying a stronger position in Washington.

Earlier this month, Congress passed legislation that sets funding targets of $13 billion over five years in a major vote of confidence for the company. President Bush, a staunch Amtrak critic, is expected to sign the bill, which also includes broad new rail safety provisions.

The bill also calls for about $1.9 billion in federal matching grants to states for rail projects.