North Carolina train ridership record headlines 2025 for the state’s state-subsidized Amtrak trains. Nearly 740,000 passengers boarded the Piedmont and Carolinian—about 19,000 more than in 2024—according to ABC11 and an NCDOT update.

North Carolina train ridership record tops 740,000
Photo: abc11.com

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Piedmont and Carolinian trains: the 2025 totals

For the fourth straight year since the Covid-19 pandemic, North Carolina saw a record number of people riding these trains across the state. NCDOT’s rail division added that 2025 ridership was 59% higher than in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.

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October was the busiest month on record

October stood out as the busiest month on record, with 74,400 passengers on the Piedmont and Carolinian trains, as previously covered by Railway Supply.

Special events, promotions, and schedule changes

NCDOT said some of the increase reflects special events and promotions. Trains make stops at the NC State Fair and the Lexington Barbecue Festival, and the department adjusts the Piedmont’s Sunday schedule to accommodate Carolina Panthers fans.

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