Amtrak Sees Record Rides as US Falls Behind on Rail Infrastructure
As millions of Americans hit the road and skies for Thanksgiving, Amtrak is reaping a historic reward: record-breaking ridership. In fiscal year 2025, the nation's passenger rail service carried a staggering 36.2 million passengers - a 10% increase from the previous year. The surge in demand is a welcome surprise to those who have long argued that America's aging rail infrastructure can no longer keep pace with rising travel volumes.
While Amtrak officials are thrilled by the results, many experts warn that the company's success comes with a crucial caveat: the US still lacks the necessary investment and willpower to sustain this momentum. "We've made a historic promise with the infrastructure bill," said John Robert Smith, former chairman of Amtrak's board, "but we haven't matched it with the urgency or coordination it demands." Without significant upgrades to its aging rail network, Amtrak risks being left behind by global peers who have invested heavily in passenger rail.
China, for example, has built over 25,000 miles of high-speed rail since 2008 - a far cry from America's limited network. Meanwhile, France's TGV trains regularly hit speeds above 180 mph, a level that no Amtrak line currently achieves. As funding and regulatory hurdles continue to slow progress on high-speed rail projects, the US risks falling further behind.
Despite these challenges, Amtrak is making strides in modernizing its infrastructure. The company has committed over $22 billion to replacing aging bridges, tunnels, and trainsets - a significant investment that aims to support long-distance service and busiest corridors. Early wins have included restored service between New Orleans and Mobile, which has exceeded expectations with double and tripled ridership and revenue projections.
As the debate around rail infrastructure reaches a critical juncture, one thing is clear: Americans are rediscovering the joys of train travel. Generation Z and millennials are driving demand for affordable, lower-carbon alternatives to air travel, and Amtrak is poised to capitalize on this trend. But will Washington match this growing demand with sufficient funding and support? The future of passenger rail in America hangs in the balance.
As Smith so aptly put it, "We're finally at a point where people want the train. The next question is whether we will build the country to match that demand."
As millions of Americans hit the road and skies for Thanksgiving, Amtrak is reaping a historic reward: record-breaking ridership. In fiscal year 2025, the nation's passenger rail service carried a staggering 36.2 million passengers - a 10% increase from the previous year. The surge in demand is a welcome surprise to those who have long argued that America's aging rail infrastructure can no longer keep pace with rising travel volumes.
While Amtrak officials are thrilled by the results, many experts warn that the company's success comes with a crucial caveat: the US still lacks the necessary investment and willpower to sustain this momentum. "We've made a historic promise with the infrastructure bill," said John Robert Smith, former chairman of Amtrak's board, "but we haven't matched it with the urgency or coordination it demands." Without significant upgrades to its aging rail network, Amtrak risks being left behind by global peers who have invested heavily in passenger rail.
China, for example, has built over 25,000 miles of high-speed rail since 2008 - a far cry from America's limited network. Meanwhile, France's TGV trains regularly hit speeds above 180 mph, a level that no Amtrak line currently achieves. As funding and regulatory hurdles continue to slow progress on high-speed rail projects, the US risks falling further behind.
Despite these challenges, Amtrak is making strides in modernizing its infrastructure. The company has committed over $22 billion to replacing aging bridges, tunnels, and trainsets - a significant investment that aims to support long-distance service and busiest corridors. Early wins have included restored service between New Orleans and Mobile, which has exceeded expectations with double and tripled ridership and revenue projections.
As the debate around rail infrastructure reaches a critical juncture, one thing is clear: Americans are rediscovering the joys of train travel. Generation Z and millennials are driving demand for affordable, lower-carbon alternatives to air travel, and Amtrak is poised to capitalize on this trend. But will Washington match this growing demand with sufficient funding and support? The future of passenger rail in America hangs in the balance.
As Smith so aptly put it, "We're finally at a point where people want the train. The next question is whether we will build the country to match that demand."
i mean, 36 million passengers in one year?! that's insane! but seriously, it's about time americans started taking train travel more seriously. we're so caught up on flying around the country that we've forgotten how much fun and sustainable it can be.
$22 billion is a huge investment, and i hope it pays off soon. restored service between new orleans and mobile has already seen some serious gains, so fingers crossed they can keep that momentum going.
so yeah, who wouldn't wanna travel by train when you can fly and get to your destination in half the time 
️? but seriously, it's kinda sad that Amtrak's got to play catch-up on infrastructure because, like, our government hasn't been doing enough 
. I mean, 36 million passengers is a big deal, but if we wanna keep up with the rest of the world, we need to step up our game 
. And can we please get some high-speed rail in this country already?! 
It looks like someone's been holding up the US rail system for way too long... We need more than just record-breaking ridership, we need a real investment in our infrastructure! 
The US is already lagging behind global peers who have made significant strides in passenger rail. It's time to get moving and build a future where trains are not just a nostalgic option but the preferred mode of transport for generations to come... 
. Like, China's out there building high-speed rails left and right while we're still struggling to fix our own tracks 
. But now they're trying to modernize and compete with the big boys.
. Gen Z and millennials are driving this trend, and if we can just get our act together in Washington, I think Amtrak could really take off 
. But, man, the funding and regulatory hurdles... that's like the ultimate roadblock 
. Can't we just match the demand with some actual cash and coordination? Come on, DC!