Amtrak trains to make special stop; Kids ride free!
NEW YORK – Amtrak will once again provide direct service for customers traveling to the New York State Fair this year, making it more convenient, cost-effective, family friendly and comfortable way to travel to the Empire State’s largest annual event between Wednesday, Aug. 22 and Monday, Sept. 3.
Pontiac-Detroit-Ann Arbor-Chicago corridor welcomes bicycles
CHICAGO and LANSING, Mich. – Starting July 26, bicycles will be accepted aboard the Amtrak Wolverine Service (Trains 350-355), sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) with three daily round-trips between Pontiac and Chicago, via Detroit, Dearborn, Jackson and other stops.
There is a $10 charge in addition to the railfare. Bicyclists must make reservations to carry their bikes onto the trains and stow them at the direction of the Amtrak conductors.
Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited sleeping car customers now have a hot entree option
WASHINGTON – Contemporary and fresh dining choices for sleeping car customers on Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited trains include a hot entrée in addition to chilled meals, starting this week.
“Our plan to provide fresh food choices now includes a hot option, which is based on engaging our sleeping car customers on what they would like and with special training for our train crews,” said Bob Dorsch, Vice President of the Amtrak Long Distance Service Line. “This contemporary style of service has been well received by customers, with meals of their choice and at times they choose. These customers also enjoy having exclusive use of the dining cars.”
Proven equipment wanted to operate on routes east of the Mississippi
WASHINGTON – In a continued effort to modernize equipment and improve the experience for our customers, Amtrak is going to the marketplace to explore the availability of rail vehicles to eventually replace the current Amfleet I equipment. This equipment includes single-level passenger cars used primarily on routes east of the Mississippi River such as the Northeast Regional, Keystone, Carolinian and Illinois Service Trains.
WASHINGTON – Beginning June 13, Amtrak customers traveling onboard Acela Express and Northeast Regional trains can now choose from a new contemporary Corridor Café Menu, featuring fresh new premium products from Boar’s Head Brand as well as a wide variety of high quality snacks, drinks and sundries.
New initiative provides seamless onboarding process, allowing customers to select their preferred seat before boarding
NEW YORK – Amtrak is now offering assigned seating for customers traveling in Acela First class on select departures. Assigned seating will allow customers to select their preferred seat in First class ahead of time: choosing between a single or double seat, a window or an aisle, or a two- or four-person conference table. After evaluating this launch, Amtrak will introduce seat assignments on more departures in 2018.
“By reducing the anxiety and stress of boarding, we’re making the onboarding process easier, while continuing to ensure the safety of our customers,” said Amtrak Chief Marketing Officer Tim Griffin. “Customers have long requested assigned seats on trains, allowing families, friends and colleagues to sit together.”
Updates will provide a more modern, comfortable customer experience
WASHINGTON – Amtrak is investing in an extensive refresh of its train interiors on the entire Acela Express fleet, which travels along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Boston and Washington, DC, aimed at introducing a more modern and comfortable customer experience.
“Customers expect a premium experience when they board an Acela Express train, and these updated interior features will provide a more comfortable, refreshed look and feel – whether you want to relax, move about freely, work or play,” said Amtrak CEO and President Richard Anderson.
High-Speed WiFi Improvements Underway
WASHINGTON – Amtrak travelers on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) will soon enjoy improved Wi-Fi, with a more reliable and easier connection to high-speed broadband.
Amtrak Acela Express customers are already benefiting from performance tuning, including improved stability and reliability of VPN connections for customers accessing corporate networks. This summer, Northeast Regional trains will receive upgraded processors and modem cards, as well as new antennas that will improve speed. These upgrades will allow for quicker loading times for webpages and other content, the ability to send and receive files faster, improved video streaming and audio performance, and a more productive and enjoyable experience.
