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8/31/2022
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Amtrak announced yesterday that ridership on state-supported trains reached 110,256 passengers in July, a 28.9% increase from June's level and a 19.8% increase compared with pre-pandemic ridership in July 2019.
Ridership in July marked an all-time high, VPRA and Amtrak officials said in a joint press release. VPRA launched two new roundtrips last month: one to Roanoke and one to Norfolk. It also added a roundtrip to Newport News that had been suspended due to the pandemic.
Every route logged a ridership increase, with Newport News topping the list. That route carried an additional 10,315 riders in July, a 54% increase over June.
The Norfolk route logged the second largest increase from June to July, with 40,763 passengers traveling — a 23% increase over June and a 36.5% increase over July 2019.
"These numbers make it very clear: Virginians want more passenger rail to be a part of their transportation network," said VPRA Executive Director D.J. Stadtler. "With the launch of two new roundtrips and the resumption of another, we know that rail works for the Commonwealth and look forward to further expanding service throughout the state."
Virginia launched state-supported passenger-rail service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, D.C., and Lynchburg. Since that time, the state’s service has grown to include stops at 17 stations along four corridors. All four corridors provide service to Washington, D.C., and locations further north, including Philadelphia, New York City and Boston.