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Rail News Home Passenger Rail

1/9/2025



Rail News: Passenger Rail

NC By Train logged record ridership in 2024


North Carolina Department of Transportation officials say increased service options and special events boosted popularity of the NC By Train passenger-rail service in 2024.
Photo – North Carolina Department of Transportation

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NC By Train, the North Carolina-supported Amtrak service, achieved record ridership of 720,000 passengers in 2024, a 12% increase over 2023 and a 55% increase from 2019, which was prior to the pandemic.

The 2024 ridership figure marks the third consecutive year the intercity passenger-rail service posted a record, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. (NCDOT).

“More people than ever are traveling by train in North Carolina,” said NCDOT officials said in a press release. “The service's popularity appears to be growing as more people learn how easy and stress-free it is to use, the affordability of tickets, and the positive environmental benefits and sustainability of traveling by train.”

The NCDOT's rail division continues to see a positive response to the addition of daily trip options. Special stops and events, such as the state fair, Lexington Barbeque Festival, and adjusted schedules for football games in Charlotte have contributed to the increase in NC By Train, state officials said.