At Railway Interchange, Jed Poster, Senior Director at Amtrak, provided an overview of Amtrak’s current achievements and ongoing roadmap, including record-breaking ridership, a 50 billion USD capital programme, and nationwide expansion efforts.
Notably, Amtrak has already surpassed pre-COVID ridership levels, with fiscal year 2024 setting a new all-time high, and fiscal year 2025 already on pace to further exceed this record.
Poster emphasised that this growth isn’t limited to the Northeast Corridor (NEC)—Amtrak’s busiest route from Washington, D.C. to Boston—but is being seen across all service lines.
Poster said:People want to ride trains. The constraint isn’t demand. It’s supply.
Increasing Supply
To meet this demand, Amtrak is investing in renewing its infrastructure and rolling stock, as well as increasing efficiencies. Poster noted that increased service has already been achieved through low-cost initiatives. For example, last year, Amtrak boosted Northeast Regional frequencies by 20% without adding new rolling stock. Instead, the operator optimised turnaround times and scheduling.
Infrastructure
Amtrak’s ongoing investment in modernising its ageing infrastructure is crucial for unlocking capacity. By addressing bottlenecks and improving system efficiency, Amtrak aims to run more frequent and faster services across its network.
Poster detailed that Amtrak’s capital programme saw 10 billion USD in contracts executed last year alone. The company now plans to spend nearly 7 billion USD in fiscal year 2025, part of a 50 billion USD generational investment.
Key highlights include:
- Frederick Douglass Tunnel Project (Baltimore): Replacing a 150-year-old bottleneck to improve reliability and increase capacity
- Connecticut River Bridge Replacement: Modernising a 1907 bridge critical to Northeast operations
- East River Tunnel Rehabilitation (New York City): Upgrading infrastructure damaged by Superstorm Sandy
- Seattle Maintenance Facility: Expanding capacity to maintain new trains and support growth in the Pacific Northwest
Fleet Modernisation
Poster also highlighted Amtrak’s rolling stock renewal programme as a central component of its capital plan. These new trains are primarily expected to replace ageing rolling stock, enabling Amtrak to maintain current service levels, rather than operate additional vehicles. However, the modern trains will further enhance efficiency, providing additional opportunities for service expansion.
NextGen Acela – Arriving 2025
The NextGen Acela trains will soon enter service on the Northeast Corridor. While Poster was not yet able to disclose an exact date, the rollout remains on track to be launched this year.
These new trains will offer smoother and faster journeys, facilitating increased frequencies between cities such as Washington, DC, New York and Boston.
The trains will also improve the passenger experience thanks to amenities such as high-speed 5G WiFi, individual USB ports, power outlets and reading lights. Indeed, Poster stressed that these trains will soon be the most modern high-speed rail trains operating in the western hemisphere.
The new vehicles are being built by Alstom in Hornell, NY, facilitated by 190+ suppliers from 29 states.
Amtrak Airo Trains – Arriving 2026
Amtrak’s upcoming Airo fleet will help maintain service levels in the Pacific Northwest.
Once in service, the new trains will enhance efficiency, operating at speeds up to 125 mph with seamless transitions between power sources. This will eliminate the need for time-consuming locomotive changes.
In total, Amtrak is procuring 83 Airo trains, which are being built by Siemens in Sacramento, CA and Lexington, NC. 90+ suppliers from 31 states are contributing to their production.
Long Distance Fleet
Procurement is underway for Amtrak’s new Long Distance Fleet, anticipated to enter service in the 2030s.
Poster highlighted that these trains will focus on maintaining a positive travel experience, where passengers can enjoy the ride and appreciate the beautiful views. Here, the growing demand for rail travel lies in the experience, rather than in the efficiency of the journey.
Poster said:Sometimes it’s not just about going from point A to point B. Sometimes it’s about enjoying the ride in a hotel on wheels.
New Routes
Alongside increasing frequencies and meeting increased demands on its existing routes, Amtrak is also deploying new services, expanding its reach to more Americans across the country.
Borealis Service (Chicago–Twin Cities)
Launched in May 2024, this new service has outperformed expectations, carrying over 100,000 passengers in its first five months. With demand outpacing forecasts, Amtrak is now looking to increase frequencies.
Floridian Route (Chicago–Florida)
Originally introduced to accommodate schedule shifts caused by East River Tunnel works in New York, this long-distance route quickly found its own success.
Launched in November 2024, the consolidated Chicago–Florida service exceeded ridership projections, reaffirming that when quality rail options are offered, passengers show up.
Mardi Gras Service (Mobile–New Orleans)
Soon to launch, this Gulf Coast route will restore service between Mobile and New Orleans for the first time since 2005. Alongside strengthening regional mobility, it will offer new connections and expand the reach of Amtrak’s broader long-distance network via New Orleans.
Virginia Expansion (Roanoke–Christiansburg)
An extension of the Northeast Corridor, this project will reconnect Christiansburg with passenger rail for the first time in decades, reinforcing Amtrak’s commitment to growth in high-potential corridors.
S-Line Project (Richmond–Charlotte)
Backed by significant federal funding, this project will upgrade existing freight lines for passenger rail. It marks a major step in expanding reliable rail service across the Southeast—one of Amtrak’s fastest-growing regions.
Future Outlook
Amtrak’s message at Railway Interchange was clear: demand for passenger rail in the US is surging, and the company is investing at scale to meet it. With a 50 billion USD capital programme driving infrastructure upgrades, fleet modernisation, and route expansion, Amtrak is laying the foundation for a more connected and efficient national rail network.
As Poster noted, the future of rail isn’t constrained by interest—it’s constrained by supply. And when that supply arrives, people show up. Whether it’s new trains, more frequencies, or expanded routes, the pattern is consistent: when Amtrak delivers, passengers ride.
