Amtrak has released a Request for Proposals today, for a new fleet of single-level passenger rail vehicles to replace Amfleet I cars, providing new equipment with contemporary rail amenities to better serve Amtrak customers. Amfleet I cars are used primarily on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and adjacent State Corridor routes, including Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Maple Leaf, Adirondack, Vermonter, Downeaster, Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, Keystone Service, Virginia Service and New Haven/Springfield Service.
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South Station Acela Lounge Renamed as Metropolitan Lounge
BOSTON – Amtrak customers traveling in and out of Boston South Station can now enjoy the newly renovated and re-branded Metropolitan Lounge, as part of a larger Amtrak lounge station refresh initiative. Previously known as ClubAcela, the newly opened Metropolitan Lounge, still in its convenient location near the platforms for easy boarding access, features new carpeting, new and more comfortable seating, contemporary furniture designed to charge personal electronic devices and an updated welcome desk. Additional improvements include updated all-in-one touchless washbars in the restrooms, the restoration of historical lighting, and upgraded snacks and beverages.
Will replace the current Solari Board in early 2019
PHILADELPHIA – Amtrak is set to replace its current Solari board at William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in Philadelphia (PHL) with a new, digital Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) that will help further its efforts to modernize the station. As part of the project, Amtrak is also replacing the display boards at each gate, the software that runs the displays, as well as the public address system and the platform displays all of which will now be ADA compliant.
Customers of Amtrak, Metra and other users of Chicago Union Station today enjoyed a holiday lighting ceremony like no other in the station’s 93-year history, showing off a Great Hall painted in its original colors, made brighter by a restored skylight and improved lighting accenting the historic space that has been Chicago’s front door since 1925.
WASHINGTON – Continuing financial improvements in recent years, Amtrak again posted record revenue and earnings for its fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, 2018. Strong management and improved product delivery and customer service led the company to its best operating performance in company history, despite challenges during the year. Preliminary results for Fiscal Year 2018 are:
Operating Earnings[1]: ($168.0 million) – best Amtrak operating performance to date, improved 13.3 percent over FY 2017 total of $193.7 million
Ridership: 31.7 million customer trips –steady year-over-year, with growth offset by reductions due to service disruptions
Total Revenue1: $3.38b illion – increased 2.2 percent over FY 2017
Capital Investment1, [2]: $1.46 billion – the highest level of capital investment in recent Amtrak history
Provides real-time navigation and train and station information, streamlining commuter transit
NEW YORK – Amtrak has upgraded FindYourWay, its free, real-time customer information app for exclusive use inside New York Penn Station on iOS and Android. In addition to helping passengers find gates, exits, ATMs, and restaurants throughout the station and providing wayfinding functionality in the Amtrak concourse, the app now includes several new features.
$700,000 will help fund Amtrak project to install new gate and warning lights at Birnie Road crossing
LONGMEADOW – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced it has committed approximately $700,000 to help Amtrak make safety improvements at the public railroad crossing at Birnie Road in Longmeadow. This funding is expected to cover approximately 90% of the cost of the improvements. Amtrak, which owns the railroad line and is carrying out the project, will fund the remaining costs.
