(The following appeared on the Salisbury Post website on June 7, 2010.)
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation and Amtrak took train travel in North Carolina another step forward Saturday when new midday service began between Raleigh and Charlotte, increasing the state-sponsored passenger rail service to six trains daily between its two largest cities.
Saturday’s service launch added two additional trains in the midday, giving business travelers, families and college students more options to travel via rail. The new service is expected to attract 43,000 new passengers in its first year of operation.
” Riding the train is a safe, environmentally-friendly and economical way to travel,” said State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti. ” We are excited to bring increased train service to our citizens.”
Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman added, ” The launch of these two additional trains demonstrates the strong partnership between Amtrak and the state to provide more passenger rail transportation alternatives for the residents of North Carolina.”
To entice travelers to enjoy the service, North Carolina’s Amtrak is offering a 40 percent discount off adult fares on all Piedmont trains for travel throughout the entire month of June.
The new midday trains build upon the existing Piedmont service, which now operates morning and evening trains between Raleigh and Charlotte, a trip that is auto competitive at 3 hours and 12 minutes, with intermediate stops at Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury and Kannapolis.
The newly refurbished Piedmont train cars are equipped with snack and beverage vending machines, and a limited number of bike racks.
Currently, passengers on state-sponsored train services save an estimated 3.9 million gallons of fuel annually. In addition they:
– Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent compared to highway travel;
– Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared to highway travel; and
– Reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 216,407 pounds annually
Ridership on state-sponsored intercity passenger trains continues to rise in 2010. Last year, nearly 700,000 people rode intercity passenger trains in North Carolina. More than half (360,200) rode between Raleigh and Charlotte.
North Carolina’s Amtrak Piedmont and Carolinian trains are sponsored by the N.C. Department of Transportation and paid for through state funding, Amtrak and passenger fares. Complete schedule and train information is available at bytrain.org or by calling 1-800-BYTRAIN. Reservations are required. Passengers should book early for best fares.
As the nation’s intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Amtrak also is the partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.