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6/4/2025
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) last week recognized the anniversary of NC By Train passenger-rail service during a celebration in Raleigh.
NC By Train launched the Carolinian service 35 years ago and the Piedmont service 30 years ago. The Carolinian was NCDOT's first state supported partnership with Amtrak, NCDOT officials said in a press release.
The Carolinian travels between Raleigh and Charlotte, and offers a connection to the Northeast. Meanwhile, the Piedmont service provides riders with daily direct service between Raleigh and Charlotte, to increase access to alternative transportation options.
Since NC By Train was launched, service between the two cities has increased from one daily found trip to five. The services have logged ridership records for the past three years. Combined, 721,000 passengers traveled on the routes in 2024, according to NCDOT officials.