NC By Train ridership continues to grow in 2024

North Carolina intercity passenger-rail service NC By Train registered more than 101,000 riders in 2024's first two months compared with 83,000 riders in the same period last year. 

The ridership gain represents a 21% increase over 2023's mark and a 65% gain over pre-pandemic passenger totals of 61,000 in 2019, NC By Train officials said in a news release.

“It’s exciting that North Carolinians are using the train service more than ever,” said Jason Orthner, director of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division. “Investments in expanding service, improving infrastructure and advancing new projects is paying off, and the continued growth in NC By Train ridership shows that.”

According to a recent report by Amtrak, its stations in Virginia and North Carolina are among the railroad's busiest in the Southeast. Boosting that popularity is NC By Train’s Piedmont and Carolinian train services, which provide 10 trips daily between Raleigh and Charlotte.