Alexandria’s Amtrak station (110 Callaham Drive) is now the second busiest in the Southeast, with 358,629 passengers in the fiscal year 2024. It’s just behind Richmond’s Staples Mill Road Station, which saw 464,881 riders in the same period, according to Amtrak’s latest figures released today (April 7).
Amtrak has hit a new high, serving 32.8 million customers in fiscal year 2024 – a record for the rail service.
Jennifer Mitchell, Amtrak’s Executive VP of Strategy & Planning, says this uptick shows people want train travel options. She points out that North Carolina and Virginia’s investments in rail are paying off, giving people a solid alternative to other forms of transportation.
“The strong ridership reflects the demand for train travel and the strategic investments North Carolina and Virginia are making to offer the public a viable transportation option,” said Mitchell in a statement. “Thanks to our state partners, infrastructure projects are underway so we can bring more service and continue to provide customers an exceptional travel experience.”
Alexandria’s station is a key stop in Amtrak Virginia’s network. It connects passengers to major cities like Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. From here, travelers can also hop on trains to Chicago, Charleston, New Orleans, Savannah, and Miami.
DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA, highlights Virginia’s importance in expanding East Coast rail service. He notes that the growing number of passengers using Virginia’s stations proves the state’s vital role in connecting the Southeast and Northeast.
“With our key location connecting the Southeast with the Northeast, the growing ridership to and from our stations shows that Virginia is vital to the expansion of rail service on the East Coast,” said Stadtler in a statement. “We look forward to increasing those numbers as our Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative expands rail service through the Commonwealth by acquiring railroad right-of-way, increasing rail capacity, and reworking passenger and freight operations to improve reliability.”
Amtrak Virginia currently serves Alexandria, Richmond, Manassas, Newport News, Norfolk, Roanoke, and 11 other communities across the state.
