14 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Amtrak news release:

 

AMTRAK ADDING TRAINS FOR MIDWEST THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY TRAVEL

 

CHICAGO – In anticipation of the busiest travel week of the year, America’s Railroad® is prepared to accommodate the surge of holiday travelers with additional capacity on several routes in the Midwest. Extra trains will operate to and from downstate Illinois and Michigan and Amtrak will also operate every available passenger railcar in its fleet.

 

Tickets sell out quickly so customers are encouraged to plan ahead and book tickets early for availability and pricing. Amtrak Lincoln Service and Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg trains are operated under a contract with the Illinois Department of Transportation and all Amtrak services in Michigan are under a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation. Schedules for the extra trains are attached.

 

Amtrak is working to provide a hassle-free travel experience while connecting customers with friends and family. Improvements to the boarding process have been made at Chicago Union Station in time for Thanksgiving travel, including:

• Business class travelers on these trains have a new Metropolitan Lounge, located near the station’s historic Great Hall and next to a new ticket area for those who are making cash transactions. These customers, along with Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Plus or Select Executive Members, board ahead of coach customers.
• Customers traveling in Coach class on reserved trains can receive priority boarding by buying Legacy Club access. Other coach customers, who will be boarded in the order they check in, can receive a same-day boarding pass at the new service center in the Great Hall, and at other locations in the station.
• The South Boarding Lounge in the station’s Concourse level is set aside for the assisted boarding of customers age 62 and over, those with disabilities, families traveling with children 12 and under, and active duty military personnel.

These additional tips will help to ensure a smooth trip:

• Purchasing Tickets: eTicketing is available on every train route throughout the nation. Travelers may purchase tickets early using Amtrak.com, Quik-Trak^SM or ticket windows at staffed stations (where available), Amtrak mobile apps, or by calling 800-USA-RAIL.
• 2+2 = Free: Amtrak has the friendliest baggage policy in the travel industry. Passengers can bring two bags and two carry-ons, up to 150 pounds collectively, for free! We encourage customers who are carrying multiple bags to use the elevator whenever possible for safety and convenience during the holiday rush.
• Avoid the Rush: The busiest travel days are the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday. Other than on Thanksgiving Day, morning trains typically have more available seats than those in the afternoon or evening.
• Arrive Early: Allow plenty of time at stations prior to departure – at least 45 minutes beforehand if picking up tickets. Arrange for pre-boarding if you need extra time or assistance, and use Amtrak Red Cap agents to help you with your baggage.
• Check Train Schedules: Make sure to check holiday train schedules prior to arriving at the station with a helpful, online-only timetable provided by Amtrak.
• Carry Photo ID: Passengers are required to show valid photo identification when purchasing tickets. Make sure to carry valid photo ID at all times, as it may be requested aboard trains.
• Be Safe: Be aware of your surroundings, stand back from the edge of the platform, do not leave your bags unattended, and watch your step when boarding or leaving the train or when walking between cars when the train is in motion.

 

[KevinKorell]

Illinois Service Timetable for Thanksgiving period
Michigan Service Timetable for Thanksgiving period

[CNJRoss]

mLive, 10/22:
 

Amtrak adds Chicago to Michigan trains for Thanksgiving travel

 

CHICAGO – Steve Martin may have needed planes, trains and automobiles to get home for Thanksgiving, but those traveling between Chicago and Michigan shouldn't have as hard of a time this holiday season.

 

In addition to its normal daily trains between the Windy City and the Great Lakes State, Amtrak will offer additional trains in anticipation of one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Amtrak added the extra holiday service for the first time in 2014 and experienced a large spike in travelers.

 

Ten extra trains will operate between Chicago and several locations in Michigan Nov. 23-27.

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Amtrak press release via PR Newswire 11/1/16:

Amtrak Preparing For Thanksgiving Rush With Expanded Schedules, More Seats

 

Additional trains and added capacity planned throughout system

 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In anticipation of the busiest travel period of the year, Amtrak is preparing to accommodate the expected surge of holiday travelers with additional trains and extra seats on several routes in the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast. Amtrak will operate every available passenger rail car in its fleet but tickets sell out quickly so customers are encouraged to plan ahead and book early for best availability and pricing.

 

On the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak Acela Express and Northeast Regional services will operate full and extended schedules with additional frequencies and added capacity between Washington, D.C. and Boston.  In response to customer demand, Amtrak will operate additional trains on both the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 22 and 23, as well as the Sunday after, Nov. 27. Amtrak will also run "Holiday Extra" trains between New York and Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Nov. 27 using equipment leased from our commuter partners.  Regular Amtrak booking and ticketing procedures apply. 

 

With the friendliest baggage policy in the travel industry, free Wi-Fi for 90% of Amtrak travelers, no "middle seats" and a nationwide network serving over 500 destinations, customers throughout the country find Amtrak to be the smarter way to travel to be with family and friends for the holidays.

 

"In the past decade, demand for passenger rail service during the Thanksgiving holiday period has grown steadily," said Amtrak President and CEO Wick Moorman. "We continue to focus on providing innovative and convenient travel options for our customers, and the Thanksgiving travel period is a great opportunity to put our best foot forward. Across our nationwide network, Amtrak employees are gearing up to provide the kind of superior service our customers deserve as they travel to connect with friends and family for the holiday." 

 

In the Midwest, extra trains will operate between Chicago and downstate Illinois and Michigan. At Chicago Union Station, Sleeping Car and Business Class customers as well as top tier Amtrak Guest Rewards members can enjoy the new Metropolitan Lounge and pre-board their trains. Coach customers can purchase a pass to the Legacy Club to access similar amenities and priority boarding. 

 

On the West Coast, Amtrak is adding capacity to several services including Capitol Corridor (Auburn-San Jose) and San Joaquins (Oakland/Sacramento – Bakersfield), as well as additional seating on Pacific Surfliner (Los Angeles-San Diego) with one additional round trip operating between Los Angeles-San Diego during the busiest travel days.  During the holiday, Pacific Surfliner service will require reservations. In the Pacific Northwest, Amtrak is adding two additional round trips between Seattle and Portland on the Amtrak Cascades service.

 

In 2015, more than 751,000 customers traveled to and from holiday gatherings by way of America's Railroad® and similar demand is expected this year. The following tips will help ensure customers have a hassle-free experience:                                                                         

• Book Early! Tickets sell out quickly so customers are encouraged to plan ahead and book tickets early for best availability and pricing. Travelers may purchase tickets on Amtrak.com, Amtrak mobile apps, or by calling 800-USA-RAIL.
•  
• 2+2 = Free: Amtrak has the friendliest baggage allowance in the travel industry. Customers can bring two bags and two carry-ons, collectively weighing up to 150 pounds, for free.
•  
• Avoid the Rush: The busiest travel days are the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday. Other than Thanksgiving Day, morning trains typically have more available seats than those in the afternoon or evening.
•  
• Arrive Early: Allow plenty of time at stations prior to departure. Arrange for pre-boarding if you need extra time or assistance and use Amtrak Red Cap personnel to help with your baggage.
•  
• Check Train Schedules: Make sure to check holiday train schedules prior to arriving at the station with a helpful, online-only timetable provided by Amtrak.
•  
• Carry Photo ID: Make sure to carry valid photo ID at all times, as it may be requested aboard trains.
•  
• Be Safe: Be aware of your surroundings, stand back from the edge of the platform, do not leave your bags unattended and watch your step when boarding or leaving the train or when walking between cars when the train is in motion. Additionally, if you see something, say something.  Report any suspicious activity or unattended items to an Amtrak employee or member of the Amtrak Police Department at (800) 331-0008, by calling 911, or by sending a text to APD11 from a smartphone, or to 27311 from a standard cell phone.
•  
• All Aboard Pets: Bring Fluffy and Fido to the Thanksgiving festivities. Amtrak welcomes cats and dogs weighing 20 pounds or less for only $25. Make sure to bring the appropriate carrier. Some restrictions apply.
•  
• Bring your Bike: Some places are meant to be explored on two wheels. When you travel, reserve a space for your bike on select Amtrak routes.
•  

About Amtrak®

Amtrak – America's Railroad® – is dedicated to safe and reliable mobility as the nation's intercity passenger rail service provider and its high-speed rail operator. With our state and commuter partners, we move people, the economy and the nation forward, carrying more than 30 million Amtrak passengers for each of the past five years. Formally known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak is governed by a 10 member board of directors, nine of whom are appointed by the President of the United States plus the Amtrak CEO. Anthony R. Coscia is board chairman and Jeffrey R. Moreland is vice chairman.  Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Learn more at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and other information. Check us out at blog.Amtrak.com, Like us on Facebook.com and Follow us on Twitter @Amtrak.

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswir...-300354921.html

 

SOURCE Amtrak

[KevinKorell]

KAPP-TV, Channel 35 in Yakima, WA, 11/3/16:

Amtrak adding service Thanksgiving

 

During the Thanksgiving period, the Washington State Department of Transportation will offer two additional Amtrak train trips between Seattle and Portland.

Here is the story.

[KevinKorell]

Los Angeles, CA Times,  11/8/16:

You'll need reservations to ride Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner over Thanksgiving holiday

Amtrak is adding extra trains along many California routes to handle the Thanksgiving crush. But travelers on its Pacific Surfliner service between San Luis Obispo and San Diego need to know that reservations will be required over the holiday weekend.

 

This one

[KevinKorell]

 

 

Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian: Reservations Required During the Thanksgiving Holiday Period

 

Effective November 22 - 27, 2016

 

To better accommodate the increased number of travelers expected during the busy Thanksgiving holiday period, reservations will be required on all Pennsylvanian and Keystone Service trains (including Philadelphia to Harrisburg service) from Tuesday, November 22 through Sunday, November 27, 2016. Reservations will not be required for monthly and ten-ride ticket holders.

 

On Thanksgiving Day, the Keystone Service trains will operate according to a Saturday schedule.

Holiday Travel Reminders

• Use eTicketing to avoid ticket counter lines.


• Allow ample time to arrive at the station and board the train.


• Make sure your baggage is tagged with your name and address.


• Amtrak customers must produce valid photo identification when:
  
  • Obtaining, exchanging or refunding tickets
  
  
  • Storing baggage at stations
  
  
  • Checking baggage
  
  
  • Onboard trains, in response to a request by an Amtrak employee
  
  

For reservations and information, visit Amtrak.com, use our free mobile apps, speak with station personnel or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

Thank you for choosing Amtrak.

 

[KevinKorell]

 

 

Hiawatha Service: Reservations Required and More Cars Added During the Thanksgiving Holiday Period

Effective November 22 - 27, 2016

To better accommodate the increased number of travelers expected during the busy Thanksgiving holiday period, reservations will be required on all Hiawatha Service trains from Tuesday, November 22 through Sunday, November 27, 2016. In addition, we are adding cars to provide more seating for our customers on these dates.

Reservations are not required for monthly and ten-ride ticket holders.

 

Holiday Travel Reminders

• For reservations, visit Amtrak.com, use our free mobile apps, speak with station personnel or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).


• Use eTicketing to avoid ticket counter lines.


• Allow ample time to arrive at the station and board the train.


• Make sure your baggage is tagged with your name and address.


• Amtrak customers must produce valid photo identification when:
  
  • Obtaining, exchanging or refunding tickets
  
  
  • Storing baggage at stations
  
  
  • Checking baggage
  
  
  • Onboard trains, in response to a request by an Amtrak employee
  
  

Thank you for choosing Amtrak.

[CNJRoss]

Amtrak news release, 11/14:

 

Amtrak Modifies Keystone Service For Thanksgiving Rush

 

Added capacity planned throughout corridor

 

 

WILMINGTON – In anticipation of the busiest travel period of the year, Amtrak will accommodate the expected surge of Thanksgiving travelers with extra capacity on the Keystone service in the New York – Philadelphia – Harrisburg corridor. All Keystone trains will require reservations Tuesday, Nov. 22, through Monday, Nov. 28.

 

Elsewhere on the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak Acela Express and Northeast Regional services will operate all-reserved full and extended schedules with additional capacity between Washington, D.C. and Boston on both the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as the Sunday after the holiday.

 

Some Amtrak-operated trains between New York and Washington, D.C. on Sunday the 27^th, will use railcars and locomotives leased from our commuter partners and will follow regular Amtrak booking and ticketing procedures.

 

Tickets sell out quickly so customers are encouraged to plan ahead and book as soon as possible for best availability and pricing.

[BillMagee]

The Thanksgiving Holiday Timetable for the NEC is available for download.