CHICAGO – Amtrak has initiated a multi-million-dollar and multi-year project to improve the customer experience aboard its long distance trains serving overnight routes across the country. Elements of this work were displayed this week at Chicago Union Station.
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PORTLAND, Maine The Amtrak Downeaster will make station stops at the Falmouth Country Club golf course June 24-27, providing access for attendees of the The Live + Work in Maine Open Golf Tournament, part of the Korn Ferry Tour. The train stop is located near Hold 16 on the lower end of the course, just a 10-minute walk from the tournament entrance. The Live + Work in Maine Open is providing free shuttle service to the gate.
WASHINGTON – With the relaunch of its USA Rail Pass, Amtrak is introducing a new and affordable way to take a multi-segment train journey across America. This new offering allows customers to take up to ten rides to see the country and explore sights at many of Amtrak’s 500 destinations. Now through June 22, the USA Rail Pass is available for $299, a savings of $200 off the regular $499 price. Customers taking advantage of this special introductory offer will pay less than $30 per ride for ten travel segments over 30 days.
Based on our initial review, the INVEST in America Act is a bold commitment to a stronger Amtrak and more sustainable transportation system that America needs. The bill authorizes the robust funding necessary to allow Amtrak to better serve the country. It provides additional funding to help advance the recently released Amtrak Connects US vision to bring more trains to new customers and underserved communities, and address Amtrak’s aging bridges, tunnels, and fleet. In addition, the bill would help Amtrak enforce its statutory right to preference so that passengers arrive on time and ensure fair and expeditious access to rail lines to expand service.
If enacted, these provisions will strengthen Amtrak to deliver the 21st century intercity passenger rail network that America needs. We thank the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for their commitment to Amtrak and look forward to working with all of Congress and our partners to bring more sustainable and equitable rail service to communities throughout the nation.
As currently proposed, the acquisition of Pan Am by CSX represents a significant threat to the American traveling public which relies on Amtrak and our state partners to deliver frequent, reliable and sustainable intercity passenger rail service. Unfortunately, we believe the proposed merger, in its proposed form, will negatively impact current passenger train service and future routes in Massachusetts and Northern New England that are identified in the Amtrak Corridor Vision. Our goal, as outlined in the vision, to provide new rail service to over 160 more communities and 20 million more passengers annually by 2035 aligns with the Biden administration’s infrastructure investment blueprint and any merger’s impacts on this goal should be considered by the Surface Transportation Board during its review.
Amtrak’s primary considerations – as it would be with any railroad acquisition – are simple. First, Amtrak wants to ensure on-time performance of Amtrak trains over any impacted routes. Second, we want to ensure we will have a good partner in seeking to improve and expand existing state-supported and long distance services as well as planned expansions to new routes. After reviewing the CSX application, it is clear that the proposed merger, in its current form, will adversely impact the performance of Amtrak trains and threaten future growth opportunities. As the STB evaluates the proposed Pan Am-CSX merger, we urge the Board to recognize that intercity passenger transportation is a critical factor in maintaining and growing rail connections between communities, economic growth, social equity and sustainability.
WASHINGTON – As part of its ongoing recovery following the coronavirus pandemic, Amtrak announced today the restoration of traditional dining service beginning Wednesday, June 23 on the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle (for service between San Antonio and Los Angeles). Travelers will experience a redesigned menu featuring chef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner. This includes selections for the kids, a new array of appetizers and a complimentary alcoholic drink with dinner and table service offered in the Dining Car with glassware, cutlery and white linen tablecloths. Ceramic dishware is set to debut later this year.
Amtrak announces its participation in a global research collaboration spearheaded by United Against Slavery to fight human trafficking via the 2021 National Outreach Survey for Transportation (NOST) project. Over 100 contributors including 59 oversight agencies from Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, and the USA will analyze front-line data from the aviation, maritime, pipeline, railroad, roadway and public transit agencies in an effort to craft policies and solutions to disrupt this criminal activity and ultimately make it difficult, unattractive and unprofitable.
NEWARK – The Gateway Development Commission hailed the long-awaited release today of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) on the Hudson Tunnel Project.
Completion of the FEIS and issuance of a ROD by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is a major milestone for the project. With a Record of Decision in hand, real estate property acquisition, advanced engineering design, utility relocation and other pre-construction activities can move forward, bringing the project a significant step closer to major construction.
WASHINGTON – Amtrak is initiating the work to deliver by 2035 more frequent, reliable and sustainable intercity passenger rail service to over 160 more communities and 20 million more passengers annually, as outlined in the Amtrak Corridor Vision released today. To be implemented in collaboration with states, local communities, the administration and many other stakeholders, the Corridor Vision builds upon Amtrak’s national network, integrating new and improved corridors to expand the existing system.
