Amtrak has made significant improvements to its technology, fleet, stations and processes to ensure a smooth and safe travel experience. Customers can now book, get boarding information and check train status from a mobile device with the Amtrak app, and receive real-time updates before boarding. June is National Safety Month and Amtrak is using the annual observance to remind the public of the importance of rail safety on board trains, at stations and around tracks this summer. The company is also encouraging its employees to participate in a banner contest to show their commitment to safety.
Travel writer Ali Wunderman has taken a couple of long-distance trips with Amtrak during the pandemic and advises travelers considering taking trains this holiday season to book a room or fly instead. Refusing to wear a mask may result in fines, denial of boarding, removal from the train, and a ban on travel in the future. Joseph Khabbaza, intensive care specialist at Cleveland Clinic, recommends travelers book a room or private room if they can afford it and if they are available. He also cautions that travelers don't know who will be close to them and what their personal views are regarding safety precautions.
Gina Suh, director of Mayo Clinic's travel clinic, says traveling by train isn't much different from traveling by plane. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Transportation Security Administration reported a massive increase in travelers passing through airports, and the AAA predicted that nearly 50 million people would travel by car. For 50 years, Amtrak has connected the United States and transformed transportation by modernizing rail travel and building for the future. The company will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond, operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard.
Amtrak has reduced its services due to decreased ridership but says the impact should be minimal as schedule changes coincide with a slower travel season. Anyone whose trip is canceled due to service outages will receive a notification and alternative travel plans. When searching for a ride online or in the Amtrak app, customers can see how many seats have been sold next to each travel option.
