Staff report

SALISBURY — Salisbury’s Amtrak train station, located at the 1908 depot, was ranked No. 4 in the nation for “Overall Station Experience” in 2017, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The Amtrak station in Cary came in at No. 1 among the more than 450 stations scored.

Salisbury’s station had a 94 percent customer satisfaction score. Cary’s score was 97 percent.

The state Department of Transporation staffs the Amtrak station in Salisbury.

The DOT said customer satisfaction rankings are based on the following criteria:

• Friendliness/helpfulness of station personnel.

• Availability and clarity of station signage/announcements.

• Personal safety.

• Ease of train boarding process.

• Overall cleanliness.

• Overall condition of the train platform and boarding area.

• Overall station experience.

“It’s wonderful to see that the efforts and commitment to great customer service by N.C. DOT and Amtrak employees are being recognized nationwide,” said Allan Paul, acting director of the DOT Rail Division.

“Community is at the core of what we do, and the department will continue working hard to make sure that all who travel on one of our trains will have an unforgettable, positive experience.”

Jay McArthur, Amtrak senior manager of state corridors, added: “Passenger recognition of these North Carolina stations represents the dedication Amtrak’s employees provide to customers every day. Our passengers increasingly appreciate a more comfortable and enjoyable way to travel in North Carolina and on our national network, serving more than 500 destinations.”

Amtrak has 31.7 million passengers a year and more than 300 daily trains connecting 46 states, the District of Columbia and parts of Canada.

The Great Americans Stations Project, established by Amtrak in 2006, also shared the rankings report from the N.C. DOT in its fall newsletter.