483 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 3/12/20:

 

   Amtrak, passenger-rail agencies log ridership declines among coronavirus concerns 

 

 

Americans are switching their travel habits from public transit to either staying home or relying more on cars as a direct result of the outbreak of COVID-19, a disease caused by the new coronavirus, according to a poll published yesterday by Northstar Research Partners. 

 

(snip)

 

Amtrak’s trip cancellations are up 300 percent and future bookings are down 50 percent year-over-year across the nation, The Washington Post reported. If the trend continues, revenue losses for the railroad could be several hundred million dollars, Amtrak officials said in a memo to workers, according to The Post.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

Latest press release from Amtrak:

 

 

 

                                  Amtrak Takes Active Measures to Maintain Safe Environment

March 12, 2020

Amtrak Coronavirus Update 

 

AMTRAK TAKES ACTIVE MEASURES TO MAINTAIN SAFE ENVIRONMENT 

 

The safety of Amtrak’s customers and employees is our top priority. We continue to monitor the coronavirus situation closely and we are taking action based on guidance from public health experts; that includes restoring service to trains and routes once demand returns. In order to maintain a safe environment and address customer concerns and potential business impact, we are taking the following measures:

 

Before You Travel

 

If you are planning your Amtrak trip:

• Travel with confidence: As a valued customer, we are waiving change fees on all existing or new reservations made before April 30, 2020. Simply log in to your account or go to Modify Trip on Amtrak.com, or find your reservation from your account on the home screen in the Amtrak app. A fare difference may apply to your new itinerary. If you want to cancel your reservation, call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
• Plan ahead: As Amtrak can take you to parts of Canada, if you cross the border, the US Customs and Border Protection (CPB) may ask about previous travel as well as require a medical screening. Visit the CPB website for more information.
• Take care of yourself and keep others safe: If you are feeling ill, please stay home until feeling better.

Maintaining a Safe Environment

 

To reduce risk, we are:

• Enhancing cleaning protocols: We have increased the frequency of cleaning services on our trains and at our stations to multiple times a day, and in some cases, on an hourly basis. We have increased the use of disinfectants to wipe down handrails, doorknobs, handles and surfaces.
• Increasing disinfectant supplies: We have increased the quantity of sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for customers and employees throughout our trains and stations.
• Reinforcing good hygiene practices: We are regularly sharing best practices with employees and customers on ways to protect against communicable diseases.

Service impacts

 

While Amtrak continues to operate 300 daily trains, including more than 100 on the Northeast Corridor, we have temporarily suspended the following services due to reduced demand:

• Three trains that operate between New York and Washington (Trains 2401, 2402, 2403). All three of these trains have alternate services available 30 minutes before and after their scheduled departure.
• In coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, starting Friday, March 13 Keystone Service will operate on a reduced schedule, with no service to the Ardmore Station. Eighteen daily Keystone trains will still operate during the week (9 in each direction), as will the typical service of two daily Pennsylvanian trains. All trains will remain in service on the weekend. This schedule reflects the “S” schedule or special schedule that Keystone Service has set for severe weather or other service disruptions. The complete modified schedule can be found on Amtrak.com.

What You Can Do

 

To protect against all communicable diseases:

• Wash your hands: Wash hands frequently with soap and water – and for 20 seconds. If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
• Cover your mouth: When sneezing or coughing, use tissues and promptly dispose of them or cover your mouth with your sleeve or elbow.

Ongoing Updates

 

We will continue to monitor and make changes to our procedures, policies and operations as necessary. We will continually update this page with any changes. For more information about the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

 

 

About Amtrak®

 

Amtrak offers a more comfortable and convenient travel experience, plenty of leg room and no middle seat. With our state and commuter partners, we move people, the economy and the nation forward, carrying more than 30 million Amtrak customers for the past nine years. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily, connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces, and reaches 400 additional destinations via connecting bus routes. We are committed to operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business, which is essential to our future growth. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com.

 

The takeaway here is that weekday Keystone Service will be operating on its "S" Schedule, usually reserved for severe weather issues.

[steve4031]

Down Easter not effected?

[KevinKorell]

Down Easter not effected?

I think it's being done on a piecemeal basis.   Only the Keystones were announced so far.   Nothing yet on Regionals.  The Nonstop Acelas suspended, including the ghost non-existent 2403.

[CNJRoss]

Down Easter not effected?

"The Amtrak Downeaster is operated by The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA)."

-AmtrakDowneaster.com

 

I don't think Amtrak has sole authority to effect a schedule change;  would need NNEPRA conccurrance.

 

-Ross

[KevinKorell]

Latest from Amtrak on 3/13/20:

 

 

 

                                               Amtrak Takes Active Measures to Maintain Safe Environment

March 13, 2020

 

Amtrak Coronavirus Update

 

The safety of Amtrak’s customers and employees is our top priority. We continue to monitor the coronavirus situation closely and we are taking action based on guidance from public health experts; that includes restoring service to trains and routes once demand returns. In order to maintain a safe environment and address customer concerns and potential business impact, we are taking the following measures:

 

Before You Travel

 

If you are planning your Amtrak trip:

• Travel with confidence: As a valued customer, we are waiving change fees on all existing or new reservations made before April 30, 2020. Simply log in to your account or go to Modify Trip on Amtrak.com, or find your reservation from your account on the home screen in the Amtrak app. A fare difference may apply to your new itinerary. If you want to cancel your reservation, call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
• Plan ahead: As Amtrak can take you to parts of Canada, if you cross the border, the US Customs and Border Protection (CPB) may ask about previous travel as well as require a medical screening. Visit the CPB website for more information.
• Take care of yourself and keep others safe: If you are feeling ill, please stay home until feeling better.

Maintaining a Safe Environment

 

To reduce risk, we are:

• Enhancing cleaning protocols: We have increased the frequency of cleaning services on our trains and at our stations to multiple times a day, and in some cases, on an hourly basis. We have increased the use of disinfectants to wipe down handrails, doorknobs, handles and surfaces.
• Increasing disinfectant supplies: We have increased the quantity of sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for customers and employees on our trains and stations.
• Reinforcing good hygiene practices: We are regularly sharing best practices with employees and customers on ways to protect against communicable diseases.

Service impacts

 

While Amtrak continues to operate, we have temporarily suspended the following services due to reduced demand:

• Northeast Corridor: We will be temporarily implementing revised Northeast Corridor schedules effective Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 29 by running the typical Saturday schedule on a daily basis. Frequent service will be available on Acela and Northeast Regional trains between Boston, New York, Washington, and Virginia.
• Keystone Service: In coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, starting Monday, March 16 Keystone Service will also be operating on its Saturday schedule on a daily basis, with no service to the Ardmore Station.

What You Can Do

 

To protect against all communicable diseases:

• Wash your hands: Wash hands frequently with soap and water – and for 20 seconds. If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
• Cover your mouth: When sneezing or coughing, use tissues and promptly dispose of them or cover your mouth with your sleeve or elbow.

Ongoing Updates

 

We will continue to monitor and make changes to our procedures, policies and operations as necessary. We will continually update this page with any changes. For more information about the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

 

 

The important thing here is the NEC weekdays trains are running on a Saturday schedule the rest of the month.  I got an e-mail earlier today that my reservation for later this month on Train 190 was changed to Train 150 -- that's how I knew this was coming.

[CNJRoss]

Amtrak news release

 

Amtrak Takes Active Measures to Maintain Safe Environment

March 13, 2020

 

Amtrak Coronavirus Update

 

The safety of Amtrak’s customers and employees is our top priority. We continue to monitor the coronavirus situation closely and we are taking action based on guidance from public health experts; that includes restoring service to trains and routes once demand returns. In order to maintain a safe environment and address customer concerns and potential business impact, we are taking the following measures:

 

Before You Travel

If you are planning your Amtrak trip:

• Travel with confidence: As a valued customer, we are waiving change fees on all existing or new reservations made before April 30, 2020. Simply log in to your account or go to Modify Trip on Amtrak.com, or find your reservation from your account on the home screen in the Amtrak app. A fare difference may apply to your new itinerary. If you want to cancel your reservation, call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
• Plan ahead: As Amtrak can take you to parts of Canada, if you cross the border, the US Customs and Border Protection (CPB) may ask about previous travel as well as require a medical screening. Visit the CPB website for more information.
• Take care of yourself and keep others safe: If you are feeling ill, please stay home until feeling better.

 

Maintaining a Safe Environment

To reduce risk, we are:

• Enhancing cleaning protocols: We have increased the frequency of cleaning services on our trains and at our stations to multiple times a day, and in some cases, on an hourly basis. We have increased the use of disinfectants to wipe down handrails, doorknobs, handles and surfaces.
• Increasing disinfectant supplies: We have increased the quantity of sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for customers and employees on our trains and stations.
• Reinforcing good hygiene practices: We are regularly sharing best practices with employees and customers on ways to protect against communicable diseases.

 

Service impacts

While Amtrak continues to operate, we have temporarily suspended the following services due to reduced demand:

• Northeast Corridor: We will be temporarily implementing revised Northeast Corridor schedules effective Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 29 by running the typical Saturday schedule on a daily basis. Frequent service will be available on Acela and Northeast Regional trains between Boston, New York, Washington, and Virginia.
• Keystone Service: In coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, starting Monday, March 16 Keystone Service will also be operating on its Saturday schedule on a daily basis, with no service to the Ardmore Station.

 

What You Can Do

To protect against all communicable diseases:

• Wash your hands: Wash hands frequently with soap and water – and for 20 seconds. If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
• Cover your mouth: When sneezing or coughing, use tissues and promptly dispose of them or cover your mouth with your sleeve or elbow.

 

Ongoing Updates

We will continue to monitor and make changes to our procedures, policies and operations as necessary. We will continually update this page with any changes. For more information about the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

 

We will continue to monitor and make changes to our procedures, policies and operations as necessary. We will continually update this page with any changes. For more information about the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

 

[KevinKorell]

Amtrak updated their contingency operation plans again as of 3 PM ET on Sunday:

 

 

 

Updates to Service

March 15, 2020, 3:00 pm ET

 

While Amtrak continues to operate across the nation, we have adjusted some services due to significantly reduced demand in key markets. Impacted services are as follows:

• Northeast Corridor: Starting Monday, March 16, we will be operating approximately 40% of our typical weekday Northeast Corridor schedules. Our Northeast Regional and Acela service will still operate between Boston, New York, and Washington and Northeast Corridor services that extend into Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and other states will continue to operate but with some reductions in frequencies for certain markets referenced below. 
• 
  
• Keystone Service: In coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, starting Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 29, Keystone Service will be operating on its Saturday schedule on a daily basis, between Harrisburg and Philadelphia only, with no service to the Ardmore, Paoli, Downingtown, Parkesburg, Coatesville and Exton Stations.
• 
  
• Amtrak Hartford Line and Valley Flyer: Starting Monday, March 16, Amtrak Hartford Line and Valley Flyer Service will be operating on its Saturday schedule on a daily basis.
• 
  
• New York State Service: Starting Sunday, March 15, the Maple Leaf will only operate between New York Penn and Niagara Falls, New York, and the Adirondack will only operate between New York Penn and Albany, New York. Empire Service between New York City and Albany continues as scheduled.
• 
  
• Winter Park Express: The Winter Park Express is canceled for the rest of the season. 
• 
  

Other services may also be impacted as circumstances change and Café service will be suspended on some trains operating between Washington DC and New York City.

 

Customers with reservations on trains that are being modified will be contacted and typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day. 

 

Amtrak is waiving change fees on all existing or new reservations made before April 30, 2020. To change reservations, log in to your account or go to Modify Trip on Amtrak.com, or find your reservation from your account on the home screen in the Amtrak mobile app. A fare difference may apply to your new itinerary. If you want to cancel your reservation, you must call 800-USA-RAIL (not available via Amtrak.com or the app). 

 

Not too specific in saying 40% of typical weekday schedules.   That is probably less than the first plan to move to observance of a Saturday schedule on weekdays.  It's tough to get much ridership when many of the origin and destination stations are within areas that have states of emergency that have cancelled events or closed establishments.

[KevinKorell]

Amtrak Downeaster website:
 

3/13/20 - COVID-19


NNEPRA, in partnership with Amtrak, is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak.   At this time there are no changes to Downeaster service.  The situation is evolving, however, so please continue to monitor the Amtrak Downeaster website for updates.   The NNEPRA Team is actively engaged with Amtrak on its efforts, taking action based on guidance from public health experts and reports from collaboration with stakeholders and other transit partners.  Enhanced cleaning protocols have been implemented on trains and at Downeaster stations.  

 

For more information about measures being taken by Amtrak please visit: https://media.amtrak...fe-environment/   During this time, passengers may cancel or change their reservations without penalty.  

 

To cancel your reservation call 1-800-USA-RAIL.   

 

To modify/change your reservation use the mobile app or visit www.Amtrak.com and click "Modify Trip"

[CNJRoss]

WTEN-TV 3/15/30
 

Amtrak limits upstate service to only Albany and Niagara Falls

 

 

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Starting Sunday, the coronavirus effect will limit most Amtrak service north of New York City. From Penn Station, Amtrak’s Adirondack line will only go to Albany, and the Maple Leaf will only run to Niagara Falls.

 

Regular stops along the Adirondack and Maple Leaf lines include Hudson, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Saratoga Springs, and Glens Falls.

 

According to a statement from Amtrak, they have suspended these stops and other services due to severely reduced demand.

 

Continue here.