Amtrak's Virginia passenger train service records a new state fiscal year ridership high
Amtrak Virginia Passenger Rail Service Sets Record Ridership in SFY25
In a significant milestone for the Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative, Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service recorded its highest ridership since its state-supported launch in 2009. The state fiscal year (SFY) 2025 saw a total of 1,451,276 passengers travel, marking a 4.8% increase compared to SFY24.
The increase was seen across all four corridors, with Roanoke leading the way with an impressive 6.9% rise. June 2025 set another record, with 126,284 passengers traveling, the highest ridership the state of Virginia has seen in June since the service launched. The Norfolk corridor carried the most passengers with 542,743 people.
This growth in ridership reflects the demand and success of the TRV initiative, which is aimed at expanding and improving Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service across the state. The initiative, led by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA), includes multiple major infrastructure projects designed to increase capacity, reduce congestion, and enhance service frequency.
One of the key ongoing projects under TRV is the Long Bridge Project, which involves building a new two-track railroad bridge across the Potomac River to connect Virginia with Washington, D.C. Early construction activities such as in-river geotechnical borings, vibration monitoring, and foundation testing are underway. The project is part of the larger $2.3 billion Long Bridge Program to expand rail capacity in a critical corridor nearing full capacity.
Another significant project is the Franconia-Springfield Bypass Project, which will build a rail bridge allowing passenger trains to cross over freight trains, improving service reliability and reducing delays. A $414 million contract has been awarded to FlatironDragados-Herzog Joint Venture for this project.
The New River Valley Project is another extension that will expand service from Roanoke to the New River Valley. Construction in Christiansburg is actively progressing with track removal and infrastructure installation underway.
When all Phase II projects are completed by 2030, Virginia plans to increase Amtrak Virginia service from the current eight roundtrips to 13 roundtrips, covering key corridors such as Norfolk–Washington, Roanoke–Washington, Newport News–Washington, and Richmond–Washington. This expanded service will provide better regional connectivity and greater access to Northeast Corridor destinations including Philadelphia, New York, and Boston via one-seat rides.
The TRV initiative is not just about infrastructure expansion but also about providing a viable alternative to congested highways. This service is designed to take cars off of highways and interstates and provide an option for those who wish to avoid highway congestion or cannot drive due to accessibility issues.
In summary, the TRV initiative is a multi-year transformative effort with near-term construction underway and a vision to more than double passenger rail trips by 2030, enhancing rail capacity, frequency, and regional connectivity throughout Virginia and beyond.
The growth in Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service's ridership, as seen in SFY25, indicates a positive response to the Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative's aim to expand and enhance the state's rail infrastructure, which is a crucial part of the transportation industry. To finance these projects, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is working on numerous major infrastructure projects, including the Long Bridge Project, Franconia-Springfield Bypass Project, and the New River Valley Project, with hopes of increasing Amtrak Virginia service from eight to 13 roundtrips by 2030, using finance from the industry to provide a more sustainable alternative to congested highways and improve regional connectivity.
