NEWS RELEASE – May 21, 2025
Increases seen on all four corridors
RICHMOND — Amtrak Virginia, the Commonwealth’s state-supported passenger rail service, set another ridership record during the month of April. With 129,670 passengers traveling, it was the highest ridership recorded for the month of April since the state launched its service in 2009.
April 2025 vs April 2024 Comparison
| Route | Apr 2025 | Apr 2024 | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 46 Roanoke | 32,013 | 28,623 | +11.8% |
| Route 47 Newport News | 35,131 | 32,322 | +8.7% |
| Route 50 Norfolk | 49,246 | 44,616 | +10.4% |
| Route 51 Richmond | 13,280 | 12,913 | +2.8% |
| Total | 129,670 | 118,474 | +9.5% |
All four Amtrak Virginia corridors saw increases year-over-year during the month with Roanoke seeing the largest increase at 11.8%. The Norfolk route carried the most passengers in April with 49,246. With Easter falling in April this year, the spring break travel season extended through the month, adding to the increases.
April ridership was also the third highest monthly ridership ever recorded on Amtrak Virginia following a strong March, which is also in the top 5.
Amtrak Virginia Top 5 Ridership Months
| Month | Ridership | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 136,433 | ||
| August 2023 | 130,998 | ||
| April 2025 | 129,670 | ||
| March 2025 | 126,678 | ||
| October 2023 | 125,689 |
“Seeing increases along all four of our corridors shows that the popularity of rail travel is growing all across Virginia,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA. “We see the need and are working to expand service through our Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative as soon as possible.”
VPRA’s efforts to expand its Amtrak Virginia service have begun with numerous Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) infrastructure projects throughout the state. Just last month, VPRA broke ground on the New River Valley Project which will extend passenger rail service from Roanoke to Christiansburg and bring passenger rail back to the New River Valley for the first time since 1979.
In addition, work continues on the Long Bridge Project, which will connect Arlington, Virginia with Washington, DC via a new two-track railroad bridge, dedicated solely to passenger rail. The project is scheduled for completion in 2030 and is necessary to increase the number of passenger trains serving communities in the Commonwealth.
TRV will allow VPRA to increase the number of daily Amtrak Virginia roundtrips from the current eight to 13. Current service includes three roundtrips between Norfolk and Washington, DC, two between both Roanoke and Washington, and Newport News and Washington, and one between Richmond and the nation’s capital. The service offers a one-seat ride from Virginia to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston as well as intermediate stops on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.
About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service. The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA. Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors. For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.
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