Amtrak Records 32.8 Million Riders in FY24, Grapples with Persistent Capacity Shortages

Amtrak achieved an all-time ridership record of 32.8 million customers in Fiscal Year 2024, yet the national passenger rail service continues to face significant challenges in meeting surging demand. The High Speed Rail Alliance highlighted this disparity, stating, > "Amtrak has a problem: There’s more demand than it can handle. Trains regularly sell out, year round." This imbalance has led to frequent sellouts and elevated prices on popular routes across the country.

The record 32.8 million customer trips represent a 15% increase over FY23, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels and generating a record $2.5 billion in ticket revenue. Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner remarked that this record ridership demonstrates that "travelers throughout the U.S. want efficient travel options, and we are committed to meeting that demand." The company also invested an unprecedented $4.5 billion into major infrastructure and fleet projects during the fiscal year.

Despite these positive figures and investments, Amtrak has struggled to expand its service capacity to match the growing interest. Reuters reported that the record ridership was achieved "even with less capacity," attributing this to factors such as delays in starting service while awaiting new train cars. This capacity constraint directly contributes to the "shockingly high prices" and sold-out trains mentioned by the High Speed Rail Alliance.

The challenge is particularly acute on long-distance routes, where ridership increased by only 9% compared to nearly 18% for Northeast Corridor and state-supported trains, according to data summarized by the Rail Passengers Association. Industry analysis from Trains.com noted a "continuation of periodic sellouts and high fares on long-distance routes and many corridors," indicating that Amtrak has yet to expedite restoration efforts to fully capture available demand. The redeployment of existing rolling stock and occasional cancellations due to equipment shortages further underscore the capacity crunch.

Amtrak has outlined an ambitious goal to double ridership to 66 million by 2040, supported by significant federal funding, including $22 billion from a 2021 infrastructure bill and $16.4 billion for Northeast Corridor projects. However, the immediate need remains to address the current capacity deficit and ensure that the growing demand for rail travel can be met with adequate and affordable service.