NC By Train continues to experience growth in the first half of 2025.
The state-supported intercity passenger rail service saw an overall increase of 4% for NC By Train for the first half of 2025 compared to ridership for the first half of 2024. NC By Train has carried over 355,000 total passengers in the first half of 2025 compared to approximately 342,000 passengers during the same time in 2024.
“We're proud to provide an effective transportation option for North Carolinians that is convenient, affordable and reliable," said Jason Orthner, N.C. Department of Transportation Rail Division director. “This type of growth supports continued improvement and expansion of NC By Train as we plan for the future."
In addition to total passengers carried in the first half of 2025, all stations along the Piedmont corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte saw growth in passengers getting on or off at specific stops between 5 - 13%.
The percentage increases are:
- Salisbury: 13%
- Burlington: 12%
- Kannapolis: 11%
- Charlotte: 10%
- Greensboro: 8%
- High Point: 7%
- Durham: 7%
- Raleigh: 6%
- Cary: 5%
NC By Train's growth since 2022 has been astounding carrying 522,000 passengers in 2022, 641,000 passengers in 2023 and over 720,000 passengers in 2024. The service's popularity continues to grow 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, rail officials say. Increased availability of daily trip options has also benefited the service as NCDOT's Rail Division continues to see a positive response to the addition of a fifth-round trip between Raleigh and Charlotte in July 2023.
NCDOT encourages people to take advantage of the safe, comfortable and convenient transportation available on NC By Train with its large seats, charging outlets at each seat and free WiFi. NC By Train offers a variety of everyday discounts for children, students, active military personnel, veterans and seniors. The service also offers Share Fare, which allows groups of up to eight people to save money with each additional ticket that is purchased.
Visit NC By Train for more information, to plan a trip and to buy tickets.
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