Press Release  MassDOT Announces 217,000 Trips on State-Supported Amtrak in FY24

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is pleased to announce ridership on the state-supported Amtrak Services is growing, due in part to new seasonal train travel offered in recent years and additional Amtrak trains running between Massachusetts and other states.  Travelers made 217,000 trips in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), a 27 percent growth in total passengers from FY23 and double the total passengers using state-supported Amtrak routes in FY18. This includes the public using the Valley Flyer, Berkshire Flyer, Hartford Line, Vermonter, and Northeast Regional Service.

“By choosing to take the train to their destinations, travelers can help reduce congestion on our roads and opt for a relaxing, convenient journey for themselves” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “This ridership milestone is a testament to the quality of state-supported train service and to the great work of everyone involved in our successful partnership with Amtrak.”

“Our ridership data validates the investments we’re making with our partners, Amtrak and CSX, to grow passenger rail service throughout the Commonwealth,” said Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. “Our Inland Route project, which received a $108 million federal CRISI grant, will result in two round trips between Boston, Springfield, and New Haven in 2029 and serves as down payment on West-East service between Boston and Albany as we proceed with implementing the Compass Rail program.”

“The residents, visitors, and leadership of Massachusetts are all passionate about passenger rail and the benefits traveling by train provides for business or leisure trips,” said Amtrak Vice President of State Supported Services Ray Lang. “Amtrak is on pace for an all-time ridership record this year, and we have our partners in Massachusetts to thank for leading the way on our national growth.”

“Under the Healey-Driscoll administration, the Commonwealth has made tremendous progress on improving and expanding passenger rail service. This announcement reaffirms what we all know – Massachusetts wants West-East Rail,” said Congressman Richard Neal. “This project is a significant undertaking, but we have made great strides in recent years, underscored by the $108 million CRISI grant I announced with Governor Healey just one year ago. This opportunity will not avail itself again. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the funding is available, we have great partners in Amtrak and at all levels of government, and we have the public support for a project that will ultimately transform the Commonwealth for generations to come.”

"These record-breaking ridership numbers demonstrate the critical role that rail can and must play in Western Massachusetts,” said State Senator Jo Comerford. “I am grateful to MassDOT for its unwavering commitment to growing rail service in Massachusetts and to Amtrak for its partnership. I'm glad to join state and federal partners in support of this expanded service — among an array of rail services needed in our region."

"It is no surprise that we are seeing continuous growth in ridership: people in the 413 are excited to get out of cars and to get on trains to reach New York and points beyond,” said State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa. “There is palpable excitement every time there is expanded, improved service. We look forward to even more state-supported rail to finally connect the eastern and western parts of the state, so we are as connected to Boston and Worcester as we are to New Haven and New York."

The increase in ridership follows a period of the public traveling less during the pandemic in 2021 and 2022.   

Valley Flyer service, which began on August 30, 2019, is now seven days a week and takes passengers between Greenfield and New Haven, Connecticut with stops in Northampton, Holyoke and Springfield.  Berkshire Flyer trains, which run seasonally, (this year from June 21 to September 2), began running on July 8, 2022, and each year since then run on additional days, taking the public between Pittsfield and New York City, with 7 station stops in New York State.  For the first time, in 2024, the Berkshire Flyer service includes a train from New York City to Pittsfield on Sunday mornings.

Meanwhile, interest from the public continues to be strong for train travel on Amtrak’s Hartford Line, stopping at Union Station in Springfield. The Hartford Line added two additional trains in June 2023 that provide a one-seat ride from Springfield to New York City. Also, ridership shows growth on Amtrak’s Vermonter service. The Vermonter takes passengers between St. Albans, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. on a daily basis and makes stops in Western Massachusetts.

States are responsible for funding the costs of Amtrak routes which are 750 miles or less outside the Northeast Corridor, which runs from Boston to Washington. In Massachusetts, state-supported routes include the Vermonter, the Valley Flyer, the Berkshire Flyer, the Amtrak Hartford Line, and the Downeaster. Massachusetts shares in the direct financial support of these routes with the other states along each of the routes, except for the Downeaster which is funded exclusively by Maine.

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