As the national rail provider of the United States, Amtrak is an essential service for many — as well as a fantastic way to see the country. The company operates over 300 trains each day, with routes passing through more than 500 stations across 46 states and Washington, D.C. And after years of declining ridership, it would appear that Amtrak is turning a corner. Find out why ridership is surging and more about the exciting developments on the horizon for Amtrak below.
Recent Amtrak Ridership Records
In Amtrak’s 2024 Fiscal Year (October 2023 to September 2024), the company notched an all-time high ridership record of 32.8 million travelers. This represents a 15% increase over the prior fiscal year — and nearly a million more riders than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This surge in ridership amounted to $2.5 billion in total ticket revenue in 2024, another record for the company.
Much of this ridership increase occurred in the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak’s busiest line, where there was a 9% increase in bookings on high-speed Acela trains and 18% growth for regional trains. But these positive stats weren’t confined to the Northeast — the Capitol Limited line from Chicago to Washington, D.C., saw a 29% increase in ridership year over year, and Amtrak also witnessed 8% growth along their long-distance train routes.
Why Amtrak Ridership Is Increasing
A major reason why more Americans are hitting the rails is due to a record-breaking $4.5 billion investment in Amtrak infrastructure projects. This includes an expansion of routes, improvements in the overall customer experience, and the modernization of the Amtrak fleet.
One of the major success stories from 2024 was the launch of a brand-new long-distance train route connecting Chicago with Miami, as well as the expansion of four other routes. Amtrak added additional daily trains connecting cities such as Chicago, Illinois, and St. Paul, Minnesota, and Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. Amtrak also expanded special train lines to service major events like the U.S. Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and the Great New York State Fair.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has worked to improve the quality of the passenger experience. There are now just two simplified fare types — “value” and “flex” — and riders can use a mix of points and cash to pay for their reservation. Amtrak also overhauled its food and beverage offerings, adding more sustainable, healthy, and locally sourced fare, as well as craft beers.
There have been significant infrastructure improvements, too. Amtrak invested millions into bolstering trains, stations, railways, bridges, and tunnels across the country in hopes of promoting passenger safety and a smooth, efficient journey. This includes the addition of 1 million seats on the Northeast Regional line, helping to alleviate congestion and expand seating options for passengers traveling between Boston, New York City, and D.C.
Amtrak further worked to promote ease of access, investing $155 million in station accessibility upgrades alone. New York’s Penn Station — one of the busiest train stations in the world — now features wider entrances that are fully ADA-accessible. Meanwhile, Amtrak has invested over $10 million in accessibility improvements in the Bay Area, Delaware, and Central Nebraska. Lastly, the company provides synchronized audio and visual messaging in certain stations to provide passengers with important updates and information.
What Amtrak’s Future Holds
While recent strides in ridership numbers are already quite impressive, Amtrak has grander visions for the future. The company aims to double their current ridership by increasing it to 66 million by 2040. A new ad campaign titled Retrain Travel will aid in this effort, encouraging prospective customers to avoid the hassles associated with driving or flying and opt for an Amtrak journey instead.
What new routes could we see in the future? The Corridor Identification and Development Program offers a glimpse into how Amtrak may attempt to reach new riders. One of the biggest untapped markets is the Dallas-Houston connection, where residents and developers alike have long supported the idea of creating a high-speed line. Amtrak also has its sights set on expanding its offerings throughout the Midwest, and around rapidly growing metropolitan centers such as Atlanta and Phoenix.
Finally, there are two exciting developments that are set to launch in the spring of 2025. The first is a new Acela fleet in the Northeast Corridor, capable of reaching speeds of 160 mph, faster than ever before. Amtrak also plans to unveil a new route from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Mobile, Alabama — which would mark the first train service along the Gulf Coast in two decades.
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