AASHTO Journal - ‘NC By Train’ Sets Monthly Passenger Ridership Record

The North Carolina Department of Transportation recently noted that “NC By Train,” the state’s intercity passenger rail service, continues to set record ridership; providing momentum for plans to adds special stops and the formation of partnerships with new groups.

[Above photo by NCDOT]

The agency added that “NC By Train” had its highest-ever combined ridership month this March; carrying over 66,600 passengers.

“The ongoing record ridership shows that people love the service and are using it. We want even more people to see how using NC By Train can be an option for them,” said Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Division director, in a statement.

“We’re excited to partner with a variety of cities and organizations along the Piedmont Corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte to show people all the places and events they can get to using the train,” he added.

As “NC By Train” ridership keeps growing, NCDOT’s Rail Division continues to support special schedules for North Carolina events, such as the Cheerwine Festival in Salisbury May 18.

In addition to concerts, festivals, and other public events, “NC By Train” is partnering with local sports teams to get riders on board. On May 12, riders can take the train to High Point and then walk, take transit, or request a rideshare less than a half a mile to the High Point Rockers stadium, where the passenger rail provider serves as a game day partner.

NCDOT also recently noted that “NC By Train” set a new yearly ridership record in 2023, carrying over 641,000 passengers, which is 23 percent higher than the initial record set in 2022 with 522,000 passengers.

Contributing to the services growth and popularity were the addition of a fifth-round trip between Raleigh and Charlotte in July 2023 and numerous events and special stops, such as the North Carolina State Fair, the Lexington Barbeque Festival, and football games.

NCDOT added that “NC By Train” offers a variety of everyday discounts for children, students, active military personnel, veterans and seniors and Share Fare, which allows groups of up to eight people to save money with each additional ticket that is purchased.