North Carolina is growing fast — and with that growth comes enormous opportunity. Communities large and small are attracting new residents, new businesses, and new investment. As our state expands, so does the need for more ways for people to move, connect, and thrive. A stronger passenger rail network isn’t just a response to growth — it’s a chance to shape it, giving North Carolinians more choices in how they travel, access jobs, reach schools, and explore our state.
North Carolinians for Passenger Rail was created to meet this moment.
We’re a new, statewide coalition of businesses, local governments, community organizations, advocates, and everyday North Carolinians who believe passenger rail should play a bigger role in our state’s future.
To make that mission easier to share and remember, our public-facing campaign is called All Aboard NC — a simple, welcoming name that reflects the inclusive movement we’re building. North Carolinians for Passenger Rail is the organization; All Aboard NC is the banner we use to bring people together.
Why We’re Here
North Carolina has already shown what’s possible when we invest in rail. Ridership on the Piedmont and Carolinian continues to break records. The Raleigh–Richmond S-Line is advancing quickly with federal support, promising faster travel times and stronger rural–urban connections. And communities across the state are preparing for new routes identified through the Corridor Development program.
But if we want a statewide network that truly works — connecting small towns, major cities, job centers, and universities — we need a broad coalition supporting it.
That’s where we come in.
What We’re Working On Today
To kick off our public launch, we’re sharing five key resources:
Our One-Page Overview
If you’re new to the coalition, this brief explainer highlights who we are, what we stand for, and how expanded passenger rail benefits communities across the state.
Our Federal Policy Priorities
In September, we submitted formal comments outlining North Carolina’s most important federal rail priorities — including continued support for Fed-State Partnership investments, the CRISI program, Corridor Development, Amtrak funding, and long-term rail modernization.
Our State Policy Priorities
This policy brief outlines the state-level steps needed to capture federal funding opportunities — especially matching funds to unlock federal grants worth four to nine times the state investment.
View the state policy priorities here.
S-Line Project Information Sheet
This summary explains why the Raleigh–Richmond S-Line is a transformational project for North Carolina — including economic benefits, travel-time savings, and its role in a statewide network.
Read the S-Line talking points here.
Corridor ID Explainer: How New Passenger Rail Routes Move Forward
A quick guide to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification & Development Program — what it is, how it works, what the state submitted, which North Carolina corridors were selected, and what happens next. This resource explains the multi-year pipeline that will determine our future rail routes and service expansions.
What to Expect From This Blog
This space will be your hub for:
- Updates on rail projects across North Carolina
- Explanations of major policy decisions and funding programs
- Stories from communities benefiting from passenger rail
- Ways to get engaged in advocacy
- Insights from partners, experts, and local leaders
Our goal is to make rail progress in North Carolina transparent, accessible, and exciting — because this movement belongs to all of us.
Join Us — North Carolina’s Rail Future Is Moving
We’re thrilled to launch All Aboard NC and begin building a stronger, more connected North Carolina with you — one where people in every part of the state have more choices and better access to opportunity.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Stay tuned — there’s a lot of good news ahead.