New safety initiatives will continue to be in effect for customers and employees
WASHINGTON – Beginning June 1, Amtrak is restoring Acela service on the Northeast Corridor on a modified schedule in response to anticipated increased demand. Modified service will include the restoration of three weekday Acela roundtrips. Northeast Regional frequencies will also be increased from eight to 10 roundtrips.
“We are dedicated to doing everything possible to return service safely. We want everyone to feel comfortable as they navigate this new normal,” said Amtrak President and CEO Bill Flynn.
Amtrak continues to take extra steps to sanitize stations and trains. Additional measures include the following:
- Facial coverings: For the safety of our customers and employees, Amtrak’s mask policy requires that all customers wear a facial covering. Facial coverings can be removed when customers are in their private rooms or seated alone. Small children who are not able to maintain a facial covering are exempt from this requirement. Customers can go to CDC.gov [1] for detailed instructions on how to make their own facial covering. Service will be denied to customers not wearing facial coverings.
- Limiting bookings: Amtrak is limiting ticket sales on reserved services to allow for physical distancing while traveling.
- Cashless service: As an added measure to ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees, we are temporarily accepting only cashless payments in stations and on trains.
- Physical distancing: Signage has been displayed at several of our busiest stations to indicate safe distances in high customer traffic areas such as waiting rooms, in front ticket offices, at the base/top of escalators, lounge entrances, etc. In addition, clear protective barriers have been retrofitted at stations where there are no current glass barriers.
- Food and beverage service: We are temporarily offering Flexible Dining [2] service in the dining or lounge car on all long distance routes (except Auto Train) and encouraging all Sleeping Car customers to select optional room service for their meals. In addition, we are limiting seating in dining and café areas.
While some services were reduced or suspended, Amtrak has and will continue to operate as an essential service as our nation recovers. In addition to the Acela and Northeast Regional, trains will be restored to service by monitoring demand, working with state partners and continuing to prioritize customer and employee safety.
Tickets are currently for sale and can be found, along with current schedules on Amtrak.com [3] and through the Amtrak app [4]. Amtrak continues to evaluate current practices and pilot new opportunities to support personal safety. Visit Amtrak.com [5] for more information about how Amtrak is maintaining a safe environment.