RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — State-sponsored train service between Raleigh and Charlotte will be suspended beginning next week because of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on revenues, North Carolina transportation officials said Wednesday.
The Piedmont runs three trips a day between the state capital and North Carolina’s largest city. The N.C. Department of Transportation said in a news release that service will be suspended beginning on Monday.
People who want to travel between Raleigh and Charlotte by train can take the Carolinian, which departs Charlotte each morning daily and stops in Raleigh en route to New York. The Carolinian returns from New York, makes a stop in Raleigh before reaching Charlotte in the evening.
NCDOT said passengers with reservations can modify their trip on Amtrak.com, or find their reservation on the home screen in the Amtrak app. Amtrak is waiving change fees on all existing reservations until Aug. 31, the department said.
Amtrak is requiring that all customers in stations, on trains and thruway buses wear facial coverings. In addition, enhanced cleaning measures are in place on the trains and at stations. While on board, passengers are encouraged to follow social distancing recommendations.