RICHMOND — The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority announced 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, it said.
All four Amtrak Virginia corridors saw increases year-over-year during the month, with the Norfolk route carrying the most passengers in April at 49,246. With Easter falling in April this year, the spring break travel season extended through the month, adding to the increases, according to VPRA.
April ridership was also the third-highest monthly ridership ever recorded on Amtrak Virginia. It followed a strong March, which was also in the top five.
“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 said efforts to expand its Amtrak Virginia service have begun with numerous Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) infrastructure projects throughout the state. 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.
