CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On a Friday afternoon, a few dozen passengers make their way from the Charlotte train station onto the 3:15 Piedmont, which goes to Raleigh.
Makiyah Beasley makes the trip pretty often to Burlington to see family.
“I don't do planes, but I do do trains,” Beasley says. “I don't like heights. I don't like to be high up.”
COVID-19 forced Amtrak to make some adjustments, but it's still running.
“The Carolinian, which operates between Charlotte and New York, is one of the best-performing trains in the Amtrak system with regards to its recovery to pre-pandemic levels for ridership and also future bookings,” says North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Director Jason Orthner.
That's encouraging news, considering NCDOT has big plans for train service in the state.
“The future is very bright for passenger rail in North Carolina,” Orthner says.
Some of the projects in development include:
- A new route between Richmond and Raleigh. NCDOT says it's a major focus and could be not far off.
- Service between Charlotte and Atlanta, which is being led by Georgia DOT.
- Adding service as far west to Wilmington and as far east as Asheville. Those are both places where passenger trains don't exist.
“We're seeing rail as a way to connect rural communities and urban centers together through a high performing network of rail services,” Orthner says.
Orthner says COVID-19 hasn't impacted the timeline for the projects.
While Orthner didn't give specific dates for when the projects might officially break ground, he says federal grants play a big role.
Orthner says train service is crucial as the state continues to grow.
“Providing folks an opportunity to get around without having to worry about their car. They can get from city center to community center,” Orthner says. “As we see people move here, as we see additional businesses come here, a healthy rail system is incredibly important.”
While trains may not be as crowded during a pandemic, Beasley seems to plan on staying a regular rider during and after COVID-19.
“I feel like it's a better way to get around,” Beasley says. “It's safer.”
The Charlotte Amtrak Station will also be getting a new home when the Gateway Station opens.