In a record-setting surge, NC By Train has hit a new high, marking its highest ridership in three and a half decades during October. The state-supported passenger service welcomed 74,400 passengers last month, surpassing its previous year's numbers by nearly 10% and signaling a growing trend in the public's travel preferences, according to NCDOT.
Riding on the rails of progress, NC By Train not only celebrated its October victory but is also tracking a steady climb with a 4% ridership increase to a total of 608,300 passengers from January to October this year when compared to 584,600 in the same timeframe in 2024, and this is just the latest juncture in an impressive upward trajectory that started back in 2022. Jason Ortner, NCDOT Rail Division director, expressed elation over the trend, "We're thrilled to see passenger rail ridership continue to grow across North Carolina as more people experience the convenience and benefits of train travel," highlighting the service's appeal for various travel needs ranging from business to pleasure, as per NCDOT press release.
Initiatives such as the introduction of more daily options in July 2023, special event trains, and unique collaborations like the 'Ale Trail by Rail' are among the contributors to the increasing appeal of NC By Train. Its ever-growing popularity is rooted in the user-friendly experience it offers, encompassing affordability, ticket accessibility, and the overall ease of train travel.
With a keen eye on customer service, NC By Train also adjusts its schedules to ferry football enthusiasts to the 1 p.m. Carolina Panthers games in Charlotte; there are two more chances this year for fans to leap onboard this convenient locomotive on Nov. 30 and Dec. 21. The service is doing more than just keeping seats filled, it's inviting North Carolinians to reconsider their travel means, promoting perks such as large seats, charging outlets, and free WiFi to enhance passenger comfort. Travelers can also tap into a range of discounts catering to children, students, military personnel, veterans, and seniors, in addition to the Share Fare option which cuts costs for group travel.
NC By Train's success story underscores a broader shift as populations reconnect with trains not just as relics of a bygone era but as viable, modern-day transport solutions. The state of North Carolina seems to be boarding this train to the future with increasing enthusiasm, judging by the numbers released by NCDOT.
