While ridership for some mass transit providers still has not fully rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia’s Amtrak trains have been chugging along with plenty of passengers, according to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.

State-supported Amtrak trains set a ridership record in 2024 with 1,389,840 rider trips, the highest figure since Virginia started its state-supported service in 2009.

Last year’s record ridership topped the previous best year, 2023, and the pre-COVID record (953,008) set in 2019.

The trend of more train riders is likely to continue considering the $2.3 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia infrastructure program.

Read the full story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.