Virginia Railway Express is reporting an increase in passengers.

Officials say daily ridership on the commuter rail service increased by more than 1,500 people, or 12 percent, in April compared to the same month last year. It was the tenth-consecutive month of growing ridership.

VRE spokesman Mark Roeber is attributing the increase in passengers to rising gas prices and construction that has worsened congestion on the region's highways.

The increase in riders comes despite delays that affected about one of every five trains in April. The commuter rail service has fallen below its goal of 90 percent on-time performance every month so far this year.