NEWS RELEASE – July 28, 2025
June Ridership also set record
RICHMOND — Amtrak Virginia, the Commonwealth’s state-supported passenger rail service, closed the state fiscal year by setting another ridership record. In SFY2025, 1,451,276 passengers traveled on Amtrak Virginia. This was an increase of 4.8% compared to SFY2024 and was the highest ridership recorded since the state-supported service launched in 2009. Increases were seen on all four corridors with Roanoke leading the way with an increase of 6.9%. The Norfolk corridor carried the most passengers with 542,743 people traveling in SFY2025.
Amtrak Virginia SFY2025 vs SFY2024 Comparison
| Route | SFY2025 | SFY2024 | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 46 Roanoke | 361,420 | 338,125 | +6.9% |
| Route 47 Newport News | 394,672 | 378,832 | +4.2% |
| Route 50 Norfolk | 542,743 | 518,520 | +4.7% |
| Route 51 Richmond | 152,441 | 149,188 | +2.2% |
| Total | 1,451,276 | 1,384,665 | +4.8% |
The month of June 2025 also set a record with 126,284 passengers traveling. This was the highest ridership the state has seen in June since the Amtrak Virginia service launched. All four corridors recorded double-digit increases in June.
Amtrak Virginia June 2025 vs June 2024 Comparison
| Route | June 2025 | June 2024 | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 46 Roanoke | 29,719 | 25,794 | +15.2% |
| Route 47 Newport News | 34,046 | 30,777 | +10.6% |
| Route 50 Norfolk | 48,495 | 42,526 | +14.0% |
| Route 51 Richmond | 14,024 | 12,392 | +13.2% |
| Total | 126,284 | 111,489 | +13.3% |
“The growth that we are continually seeing in our Amtrak Virginia ridership just confirms our work to expand passenger rail in Virginia,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA. “We have projects progressing throughout the Commonwealth from Northern Virginia to Richmond to the New River Valley. These projects will be transformative for the state’s transportation mix and are necessary to keep Virginians moving.”
VPRA’s Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative will allow the state to expand Amtrak Virginia to serve even more passengers. VPRA has made great strides in developing a state-supported passenger rail service that works for Virginians. It will take cars off of the highways and interstates and provide an option for those who wish to avoid highway congestion or cannot drive due to accessibility issues.
Recent TRV milestones include:
- The beginning of early-phase construction activities on the Long Bridge Project which will connect Virginia with Washington, DC with a new two-track railroad bridge across the Potomac River. This early-phase work includes in-river geotechnical borings, vibration monitoring, and foundation testing using a large drill rig and crane to test support systems for the bridge’s foundation. In addition, modifications are being made to track and a railroad crash wall near Maryland Avenue.
- The awarding of a $414 million contract to FlatironDragados-Herzog Joint Venture for construction of the Franconia-Springfield Bypass Project which will significantly improve rail service through the area with a rail bridge that will allow passenger trains to cross over freight trains without interrupting either service.
- Following a groundbreaking for the New River Valley Project which will extend Amtrak Virginia service from Roanoke to the New River Valley, construction in Christiansburg has progressed quickly with the removal of trees at the Cambria site. Construction crews have also begun removing the existing tracks to make way for the new configuration, and the proposed access road has been roughly graded. Jack and bore machines are being used for the installation of pipes and other underground structures.
When all Phase II projects of TRV are complete in 2030, the state will fund 13 Amtrak Virginia roundtrips, up from today’s eight. 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. Amtrak Virginia offers a one-seat ride from Virginia to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston as well as intermediate stops along 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 in Virginia plus Washington, DC along four corridors. For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.
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