New Acela train. Photo: Amtrak Amtrak hits all-time highs as more travelers choose rail.
Amtrak wrapped up its 2025 fiscal year on a high note, finishing with record ridership, record revenue, and steady improvements in how people experience the train system. The company says the strong year reflects a simple idea: if the service works well, people will keep choosing it.
“Amtrak’s operational success is not just about moving more people, it’s about moving them better,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said. “These results show what’s possible when we lead with purpose. By prioritizing reliability and the customer experience, we’re laying the foundation for the next generation of passenger rail in America.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy put it more broadly, calling Amtrak’s momentum “a preview of what’s possible when everyone is working together to help get the American people where they need to go.” He added that faster trains, more affordable service, and a growing network point toward “a new era of American rail.”
Ridership reached 34.5 million trips, the highest in Amtrak’s history and a 5% increase from last year. Ticket revenue hit $2.7 billion, another first for the company, and overall operating revenue climbed to $3.9 billion. Amtrak also logged its best on-time performance in years on the Northeast Regional line, and customer service scores improved across areas like Wi-Fi, food, communication updates, and station signage.
The company credits part of this momentum to new and expanded routes. The Mardi Gras Service between Mobile and New Orleans officially restored Gulf Coast passenger rail for the first time in two decades, drawing more than 18,000 riders in its first month. The Borealis service in the Midwest also had a strong first full year, carrying nearly a quarter million passengers. Meanwhile, the long-awaited NextGen Acela launched on the Northeast Corridor and welcomed more than 60,000 riders in its first month.
Behind the scenes, Amtrak put a record $5.5 billion into upgrades and infrastructure. That spending went toward everything from track and signal repairs to major bridge and tunnel projects. Stations across the country saw improvements, including accessibility upgrades as part of Amtrak’s longer-term goal to bring its entire network into ADA compliance.
Financially, the company’s adjusted operating earnings improved again this year, keeping Amtrak on pace to reach operational profitability by 2028. For now, officials say the priority is straightforward: keep trains reliable, keep improving the experience, and keep expanding service where demand is growing.