Our goal is simple: expand passenger rail across North Carolina. We want to connect more towns and cities with reliable, affordable train service, while securing the funding and collaboration it takes to make that possible.
Join our coalition! We bring together chambers of commerce, local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders to speak with one voice. Partners get access to toolkits, data, and updates that make advocacy easier. Become a partner here.
All Aboard NC is an advocacy campaign of North Carolinas for Passenger Rail, which works to expand passenger rail service statewide. We use the name All Aboard NC because it’s easier to say, remember, and rally around. NC By Train, operated by NCDOT in partnership with Amtrak, provides the state’s existing train service. Think of NC By Train as the operator — and All Aboard NC (North Carolinians for Passenger Rail) as the advocate making sure the network gets bigger and better.
We’re supported by generous sponsorships from both nonprofit and corporate sectors. These partnerships keep our advocacy efforts strong. Interested in supporting? Learn how to become a sponsor.
Freight and passenger rail succeed together. Much of the network is shared, so supporting freight means supporting passenger rail, too. When freight thrives, passenger rail does as well — we’re literally on the same track.
To bring passenger rail to more places across North Carolina — and to do it successfully. That means securing funding, fostering collaboration, and creating win-win partnerships with freight rail, businesses, and communities.
Passenger rail connects cities and towns across longer distances — think Raleigh to Charlotte or Raleigh to Wilmington. Light rail and commuter rail are designed for short trips within metro areas.
Today, NC By Train serves major routes like Raleigh–Charlotte. In the future, new federally funded corridors will expand service to Asheville, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Atlanta, and beyond.
You can book a ticket on NC By Train (operated by NCDOT and Amtrak) online at ncbytrain.org, at station kiosks, or through the Amtrak mobile app.
Amtrak is the national operator of passenger trains. In North Carolina, the Carolinian and Piedmont routes are supported by the state (NC By Train) to ensure frequent, affordable service for travelers here.
NC is the 9th largest state, and our highways are at capacity. With federal funding covering up to 80–100% of early project costs and widespread support from stakeholders, this is a once-in-a-generation chance to expand passenger rail.
Each corridor is at a different stage. For example: Raleigh–Richmond (the S-Line) has received $1B for construction, while Asheville–Salisbury and Raleigh–Wilmington are in federally funded studies. Timelines vary, but momentum is real. Become a member of All Aboard NC to stay informed about progress and timelines.
History shows rail stations bring life back to small-town downtowns. New passenger rail service attracts visitors, businesses, and investment — sparking revitalization and opportunity.
Trains offer convenience, comfort, and choice. No traffic jams, no long drives, and no parking hassle. Passengers can relax, work, or connect with family while traveling affordably across the state.
Yes. Passenger rail in the U.S. is one of the safest modes of travel, with federal safety standards, professional crews, and modernized equipment.
Passenger trains are more fuel-efficient and produce fewer emissions per passenger mile than cars or planes.
Costs vary by corridor, but early phases are heavily federally funded (100% of planning, 90% of development, and 80% of construction). Ongoing costs are shared among federal, state, and local partners — just like highways and airports.
The S-Line is the corridor between Raleigh and Richmond. In 2023, North Carolina received a $1 billion federal grant to revive it as a high-performance passenger rail route, opening the door to faster, more frequent trains.
Federal grants cover the majority of expansion costs, with state matching funds and partnerships filling the gap. Like highways and airports, passenger rail is a public investment in infrastructure and mobility.
Passenger rail is often more cost-effective per traveler mile than expanding highways, especially as congestion grows. Rail investments stretch further by reducing road maintenance needs and supporting long-term economic development.