After a three-month suspension due to COVID-19 and reduced ridership needs, Amtrak is restoring the daily Pere Marquette service between Chicago, Holland, and Grand Rapids, Michigan starting June 29 and 30.
Serving the communities along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan including Benton Harbor, Bangor, and Holland the Pere Marquette trains offer daily service between Grand Rapids and Chicago. Train 371 departs Grand Rapids at 6:00 a.m. and arrives Chicago at 9:08 a.m. Train 370 departs Chicago at 6:30 p.m. and arrives in Grand Rapids at 11:34 p.m. All times listed are local. The Pere Marquette requires advanced reservations for both Coach and Business Class seating. On June 29, only train 370 will operate towards Grand Rapids. Services in both directions resume June 30.
Sights and sounds along the route include the ever-popular lighthouses near Holland, along with the tulip and other flower fields. Grand Rapids is home to the Grand Rapids Art Museum and Grand Rapids Public Museum.
The Pere Marquette trains between Chicago and Grand Rapids, along with the Blue Water between Chicago and Port Huron, and the Wolverine trains between Chicago, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Pontiac, are operated in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation.
New safety procedures are in place on all Amtrak services to keep train travel safe including limited bookings, required facial masks for passengers and crew, and cashless service in stations and onboard trains.
Amtrak continues to take extra steps to keep train travel safe, including limiting bookings to less than half of capacity to maintain physical distancing onboard trains. Reservations are required for Amtrak trains on this route, excluding holders of Multi-Ride Tickets.
Ticketing is now available on Amtrak.com, mobile apps, or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Image: Peggy Paulson on Unsplash
