Transportation groups around the globe are experiencing extreme drops in ridership, due to COVID-19, and Amtrak is no exception. Slowly, but surely, ridership will increase and these groups will respond by adding regularly scheduled service. Starting today, Amtrak is doing that on multiple routes throughout the country.
Northeast Corridor
Between Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC, Amtrak resumed three daily Acela round trips. In addition to Acela, Northeast Regional frequencies will be increased to ten round trips, up from eight.
Working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Amtrak has fully restored the daily Pennsylvanian service between New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Local Keystone Service trains have also started operating again.
The modified Keystone Service will consist of nine weekday roundtrips and six weekend roundtrips. Keystone Service will temporarily only operate between Harrisburgh and Philadelphia with no service between Philadelphia and New York City.
Keystone Service will also require reservations at this time to allow for physical distancing.
Midwest Services
Between Milwaukee and Chicago, one daily Hiawatha roundtrip has resumed. Train service replaces the motorcoach service that has been providing substitute transportation temporarily due to lower ridership. Hiawatha Trains 332 and 339 and continued service by Amtrak Empire Builder Trains 7/27 and 8/28 serve all Hiawatha stops and together offer morning and afternoon departures daily.
Train 332 departs Milwaukee at 8:05 a.m. and Train 339 departs Chicago at 5:08 p.m. Trains 7/27 and 8/28 are scheduled to depart Milwaukee and Chicago respectively at 2:15 p.m. and arrive Chicago and Milwaukee respectively approximately 90 minutes later.
Additional Hiawatha round-trips are planned to begin on June 29, with morning, afternoon, and evening departures by Trains 330, 332, 338 & 342 from Milwaukee and Trains 329, 331, 337 & 339 from Chicago. The Peak Fare Surcharge is suspended. Trains 329 & 330 will operate only on weekdays, all other trains daily.
West Coast
In Southern California, along the route of the Pacific Surfliner, between San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego, frequencies have been increased north of Los Angeles.
Three trains in each direction will operate north of Los Angeles. Two will end in Santa Barbara/Goleta and one will extend up to San Luis Obispo. The morning southbound departure from San Luis Obispo and evening arrival into San Luis Obispo has been restored, along with the evening arrival into Santa Barbara/Goleta.
Connecting Thruway Motorcoach schedules have also been revised to better align with updated train schedules. For specific Pacific Surfliner details, visit PacificSurfliner.com.
Temporary Service Changes
Amtrak reminds passengers that some stations may not be staffed during this time. Additionally, Cafe service may also be suspended on select trains, and overnight trains, excluding the Auto Train, will offer reduced Dining Car offerings for Coach Class passengers and Flexible Dining for Sleeping Car passengers.
Ticketing Options
Amtrak is waiving all change fees for reservations booked through August 31, 2020. These changes can be made through Amtrak.com and on the Amtrak App. Cancelation fees will also be waived for reservations made through August 31, 2020. However, if you want to cancel your reservation without a fee, you must contact Amtrak reservations at 1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245) and speak with an agent.
For complete details, including current schedule options, visit Amtrak.com.
