NCDOT outlines equipment upgrades, ridership gains and timeline for expanded service at High Point meeting

NCDOT officials updated the High Point City Council on plans to expand intercity passenger rail service, saying statewide ridership has rebounded since the pandemic and that new train equipment and track projects will enable more frequent and faster service.

Jason Orthur, director of the NCDOT Railway Division, told the council that NC By Train has grown since the Carolinian began in 1990 and that the state currently counts roughly 10 trains a day through the central corridor when state and Amtrak services are combined. “High Point has been served since that very day,” Orthur said, noting the city also continues to be a stop on Amtrak’s Crescent long‑distance route.

Why it matters: Orthur said statewide ridership was about 59% higher at the end of 2025 versus 2019 (about 740,000 passengers) and that High Point in particular has seen strong local growth — roughly a 54% increase in ridership (FY25 vs. FY22). NCDOT staff said those increases, plus survey feedback, are guiding plans for added frequency, different stop patterns and improved connections to local transit.

Survey and rider priorities: NCDOT described a public engagement effort (online surveys and May‑June open houses) that drew about 268 respondents, roughly split between current riders (54%) and non‑riders (46%). Orthur said the average trip on the Piedmont is about 116 miles, while the Carolinian’s average exceeds 200 miles. The agency reported a clear preference for faster travel times among respondents, though about 32% still favored service that stops at all stations.

Onboard amenities and service features: Officials said Wi‑Fi topped the list of desired onboard amenities. The Carolinian currently offers full cafe service while Piedmont service uses vending; NCDOT plans to introduce cafe service on Piedmont as new equipment arrives. “If you’re going to ride a train and you’re choosing not to drive, you’re probably doing something — the Wi‑Fi on the train works, which works really well,” Orthur said.

Equipment and infrastructure timeline: NCDOT described new trainsets being built in Lexington at the Seaman’s Mobility Facility. Orthur said the new equipment will increase seating capacity substantially and that the Carolinian‑class trains are expected first (targeted for 2027) with Piedmont equipment phased through 2032. He added that track and capacity projects, particularly between Greensboro and Raleigh, are necessary to add trains and rework schedules and estimated those projects may take about 2½–3 years to complete. “When we add the capacity, we’ll be able to change the schedules and be able to respond to some of the comments that we’re hearing,” he said.

Questions from council: Council members asked about how riders interpret “sustainability” versus “cost,” marketing coordination with Visit High Point, and worries from some citizens about Amtrak skipping stops. Jason Myers, who joined the presentation, said respondents tended to interpret sustainability primarily as environmental benefits and that cost generally ranked higher as a travel motivator. On skip‑stop concerns, Orthur said increased ridership informs decisions but that adding local stops or express patterns is a conversation NCDOT is having with Amtrak and freight railroads and that additional infrastructure is required to expand options.

Capacity and speed: Orthur described current consist sizes as typically three to four cars (about 200 seats on many trains) and said new trains will provide roughly 300–400 seats and are designed for higher speeds (up to about 125 mph), offering a markedly different onboard experience.

What's next: NCDOT staff said a draft stakeholder report from the engagement process is in development and that final schedules and service changes will depend on infrastructure work and equipment delivery timetables. The presentation concluded before the council moved to a closed session on attorney‑client and personnel matters.

Sources: Presentation to the High Point City Council by NCDOT staff (Jason Orthur, Greg Min, Jason Myers); public engagement summary presented during the meeting.