Train ridership jumps in N.C., far more than nationwide

October 17, 2010

Train travel is getting more popular in North Carolina.
North Carolina's Amtrak ridership jumped 15 percent in the past year, compared to a national increase of 6 percent.
The state-owned Piedmont, which travels four times daily between Raleigh and Charlotte, had the largest percentage increase in the nation - 46percent.
Part of that growth stemmed from the addition of midday service in June.
North Carolina's Amtrak ridership rose by more than 100,000 passengers in the last fiscal year. Ridership was up from 688,595 to 791,157. Ticket revenue was up more than 19 percent.
"We are pleased to see that more and more people are taking the train," State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti said in a statement. "We are confident that as we add more schedule options and increase travel speed, this trend will continue."

Originally printed in the News&Observer on 10/17/2010

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/10/17/v-print/744939/train-ridership-jumps-in-nc-far.html