Proposed Asheville-Salisbury Amtrak route could reshape WNC travel

A staff report summarized a proposed Amtrak passenger-rail route that would establish service between Asheville and Salisbury, offering three daily roundtrips in the study. The proposal surfaced during discussions of the state rail plan by the Western North Carolina Rail Committee and gives Buncombe County an early look at what supporters describe as a tool for tourism and regional connectivity.

Supporters project meaningful economic effects: state estimates cited in reporting place job creation at roughly 300 positions and put the potential economic impact at about $60 million. Proponents argue the line would reconnect small mountain towns to passenger service, make Asheville more accessible to day and weekend visitors riding the rails, and strengthen placemaking around station areas. Those impacts would touch transportation, lodging and hospitality sectors that drive much of Buncombe County’s economy.

The proposal also prompted local skepticism. Online comment threads raised questions about likely ridership, route design and whether the line would deliver enough regular commuters to justify investment. Those concerns highlight planning and operational issues: how service would synchronize with local transit, where stations would be sited, and how surrounding land use would change if parcels near stops became focal points for development or parking.

For county leaders and planners, the timing matters. A public-comment period for the state rail plan was open through Jan. 20, 2026, giving residents, business owners and municipal officials a narrow window to register support, raise questions or propose alternatives. The Western North Carolina Rail Committee has framed the study as part of broader state-level thinking about restoring and expanding passenger rail in western North Carolina; the three-roundtrip service pattern is one scenario rather than a finalized schedule.

Local implications are practical as well as economic. Station locations could alter traffic patterns, spur demand for last-mile connections such as shuttles and bike facilities, and push municipalities to revisit zoning near rail corridors. For tourism businesses, the line could redistribute visitor flows—bringing new customers to mountain towns that have struggled to attract overnight stays while reducing pressure on central Asheville during peak weekends.

The takeaway? If you’re interested in Buncombe County’s transportation future, this proposal is more than nostalgia for scenic rail travel; it’s a potential lever for jobs, tourism and land-use change. Speak up during the comment window, talk with your town planners about station-area strategies, and think about how rail service could fit into broader transit and housing plans for the county. Our two cents? Treat this as an opportunity to shape how the tracks, if laid, will serve local people and businesses.