Amtrak Posts Record Ridership and Revenue in Fiscal Year 2025
Published: February 24, 2026
WASHINGTON D.C. — Amtrak, the national passenger rail operator, announced on November 18, 2025 the historic results for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), reporting the highest ridership and revenue in its history as demand for train travel across the United States continues to grow.
According to Amtrak’s year-end report, the company carried approximately 34.5 million passengers during FY25 — a 5.1 percent increase over the previous year and a new all-time record. Passenger ticket revenues reached $2.7 billion, representing a double-digit increase of 10.4 percent year-over-year, while total operating revenue climbed to $3.9 billion, up 9.1 percent from 2024.
“Amtrak’s operational success is not just about moving more people — it’s about moving them better,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris, underscoring improvements in reliability, customer experience and service quality that officials say helped drive the strong performance. “These results show what’s possible when we lead with purpose.”
Amtrak's train #30, the "Captiol Limited," rolls through Glencoe, Pennsylvania on October 10, 2024. Jon Wright photo.Strong Performance Across the Network
The FY25 increase in ridership was broad-based across Amtrak’s network:
- Northeast Corridor services continued to dominate overall boardings, accounting for the largest share of passengers and strong year-over-year growth.
- State-supported regional services also saw gains, contributing to the year’s overall record.
- Long-distance trains, including iconic routes such as the California Zephyr and Sunset Limited, recorded increased demand, with some lines posting double-digit year-over-year ridership growth.
Amtrak passengers collectively logged an estimated 6.9 billion passenger-miles in FY25 — another all-time high — as the railroad expanded services and introduced new offerings, including the launch of the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service along the Gulf Coast and the debut of the NextGen Acela high-speed train.
Capital Investments and Future Outlook
Amtrak also reported record capital expenditures, with more than $5.5 billion invested in infrastructure upgrades, station improvements and fleet modernization. These investments, officials say, are helping to improve on-time performance, station amenities, and overall customer satisfaction.
While the railroad still operates with an overall operating loss — albeit smaller than in prior years — Amtrak officials have highlighted the ongoing trend toward financial improvement and have projected a pathway toward operational profitability by 2028.
Demand Surges Despite System Constraints
Industry analysts note that demand for intercity rail travel has surged in recent years, with scheduled trains selling out on key travel days, particularly during holidays. Some observers argue that increased investment in rolling stock and expanded service frequencies will be necessary to keep pace with ridership demand.
Transportation policymakers have also pointed to Amtrak’s performance as evidence of sustained public interest in passenger rail, even as broader debates continue over funding mechanisms, infrastructure priorities and federal transportation policy.
As Amtrak looks ahead to FY26 and beyond, company leaders emphasize a strategy focused on customer experience, operational reliability, and service expansion — all with an eye toward keeping passenger rail competitive with other modes of intercity travel.
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