Amtrak’s Virginia routes see all-time high traffic in July

Ridership on state-supported Amtrak trains in Virginia hit an all-time high in July with more than 110,000 passengers traveling, according to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and Amtrak.

The passenger total was an increase of almost 29 percent from the previous month and nearly 20 percent over pre-pandemic ridership in July 2019.

VPRA launched two new round-trips in July, one to Roanoke and one to Norfolk, and resumed an additional round-trip to Newport News that had been suspended due to the pandemic.

In July 110,256 passengers traveled on all four state-supported routes. Every route saw an increase in ridership, with Newport News topping the list. That route makes stops between Northern Virginia and Newport News, including at Henrico’s Staples Mill station. Its ridership skyrocketed by 54 percent from the previous month.

The state’s Norfolk route, which, also includes a stop at the Staples Mill station, witnessed the second largest increase from June to July (23%), as 40,763 passengers traveled.

“These numbers make it very clear – Virginians want more passenger rail to be a part of their transportation network,” said DJ Stadtler, executive director of VPRA. “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.”

The Washington, D.C.-to-Richmond route, which also includes a stop at the Staples Mill station, saw a smaller increase (8%) from June to July, with a total of about 12,850 passengers last month.