Amtrak and Google have joined forces to help travelers choose more sustainable transportation options when searching for intercity travel.
Using a newly launched, direct data integration, travelers using Google can now view the most up-to-date Amtrak departure times, trip durations and fares directly on the Google Search results page. Amtrak’s new integration with Google also means that once customers select a train, they can click through to Amtrak.com to complete the booking for their chosen itinerary without needing to re-enter their trip details.
Amtrak information will appear in Google search results when a user indicates they are considering rail travel between two Amtrak destinations. As part of this integration, Google will also show train suggestions when travelers look for flights on Google Search or Google Flights, helping people consider more sustainable options when deciding how to get from A to B. More information is available on Google’s blog.1
“One of the biggest impacts we can make towards climate change is shifting the way people get around,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “As we continue offering services that motivate people to shift out of cars and planes into trains, we are thrilled that this integration makes it even easier for users to find rail options for their travel needs while also potentially lowering their carbon emissions.”
Each time a customer chooses Amtrak instead of flying, they can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 72%. As Amtrak looks to the future, the United States has an opportunity to make use of an unparalleled asset—the railway infrastructure, the world’s largest by mileage—to support an expanded network of low-carbon, high-capacity intercity passenger rail routes that can materially enhance the economy, improve communities, and create opportunities for travelers and workers alike.
Amtrak has set ambitious new targets including a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the Amtrak Network by 2045. This net-zero emissions target focuses on expanding efforts across Amtrak’s entire carbon footprint to reduce environmental impacts from operations while safely moving people.
For more information about Amtrak’s approach to sustainability, please visit amtrak.com/sustainability.
