RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation celebrated the anniversary of NC By Train service last week in Raleigh.
“We are excited to be here today to celebrate over 30 years of NC By Train intercity passenger rail service," said Joey Hopkins, NCDOT Secretary of Transportation. “We are grateful for the support of our passengers, partners and elected officials that have made the service a success and look forward to the continued growth and development passenger rail service in the state."
NC By Train and Amtrak hosted elected officials, stakeholders and partners at Raleigh Union Station where an NC By Train locomotive painted in the original Piedmont train design was unveiled to commemorate the anniversary.
This year, NC By Train celebrates 35 years of Carolinian service and 30 years of Piedmont service. The Carolinian train was NCDOT's first state supported partnership with Amtrak that operates between Raleigh and Charlotte while offering a convenient travel connection to the Northeast. The Piedmont service was established in 1995 to provide North Carolinians with daily, direct, reliable service between Raleigh and Charlotte to increase access to alternative transportation options.
To memorialize 30 years of Piedmont train service, NC By Train is offering 30% off tickets for Carolinian and Piedmont train travel in North Carolina. The sale begins today and runs through June 16 for travel through June 30. For details, visit the NC By Train website.
Since NC By Train's introduction in the 1990s, the service has expanded from one daily round trip between Raleigh and Charlotte daily to five and has experienced record-breaking ridership for the last three years carrying almost 721,000 passengers in 2024.
NCDOT encourages people to skip the hassles of traffic and parking and take advantage of the convenient, safe and affordable transportation available on NC By Train with its large seats, charging outlets at each seat and free WiFi. Visit NC By Train for more information, to plan a trip and to buy tickets.
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