News Release
Date: 4-30-08

NC Travelers Exercise Their
Transportation Options and Take the Train
Ridership up more than 20 percent

RALEIGH — With train service auto competitive, more and more travelers are exercising their transportation options and taking the train. The state-sponsored North Carolina’s Amtrak Service is seeing consistent increases in the numbers of passengers riding intercity trains, with ridership up more than 20 percent over this time last year.

“More and more travelers are finding that our trains provide a timely, safe and environmentally-friendly alternative means of transportation,” N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett said. “We have seen double digit growth in ridership and passenger revenues over the past six months alone.”

More than 31,000 travelers rode either the Piedmont or Carolinian in March, a 20 percent increase over the 23,036 passengers who chose the train last March. Ridership was strongest on the weekends. On the Piedmont (trains 73 and 74), which runs daily between Raleigh and Charlotte, ridership was up almost 28 percent over last March from 4,619 to 5,901. Ridership on the Carolinian, (trains 79 and 80), which runs daily between Charlotte and Raleigh and continues to the Northeast, increased 41 percent from 18,417 to 25,989.

From October 2007 through March 2008, ridership on the Piedmont was up nearly 28 percent and the Carolinian was up more than 20 percent. Passenger revenues increased by almost 23 percent for the Piedmont and by almost 24 percent for the Carolinian.

Continued infrastructure improvements on the Raleigh to Charlotte route have reduced the scheduled travel time to 3 hours and 9 minutes, including station stops. NCDOT has also partnered with local communities to build new or restore existing historic train stations along the corridor.

“Expanding ways to partner with communities across the state is a key part of our efforts,” Tippett said. “Partnering with local communities to offer transportation options, preserve our state’s historic stations and revitalize downtown areas has proven to be a winning scenario.”

“We continue to work to improve on-time performance and upgrade equipment—and the marketplace is responding,” Rail Director Pat Simmons said. “Travelers are  finding that our trains offer an affordable, comfortable and relaxing way to travel. 

The Piedmont and Carolinian trains are sponsored by NCDOT and paid for through state funding, Amtrak and passenger fares. North Carolina’s Amtrak fleet of two trains provides daily service to Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte and nine other North Carolina cities, and to the Northeast. Complete schedule and train information is available at bytrain.org. Reservations are required. Travelers should book early for best fares. Tickets can be purchased at Amtrak.com or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.

 ***NCDOT***

Contact:
Joan Bagherpour, 919-733-7245 x261
NCDOT Rail Division