Amtrak
Amtrak
Amtrak
Amtrak Planning to Acquire New Next-Generation High-Speed Train Sets
WASHINGTON – Amtrak is advancing plans to acquire new next-generation high-speed train sets and ending its plans to purchase 40 additional high-speed passenger cars to add to the existing Acela Express fleet. In early 2013, Amtrak will issue a Request for Information (RFI) to formally start the process that will replace the existing 20 Acela Express train sets and add additional train sets to expand seating capacity and provide for more frequent high-speed service on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), the railroad said. “Moving directly to new high-speed train sets is the best option to create more seating capacity, permit higher
Amtrak
Mica: Focus High Speed Rail Construction on NEC
If the country is going to build high-speed rail, its focus should be squarely on the densely populated Northeast Corridor (NEC), especially considering the highway and air congestion in the region, and the existing connections to other transportation modes, U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., contends. The NEC is the only segment of rail primarily owned by Amtrak rather than the freight railroads. He stated that while the Administration has invested some in the NEC, it’s been in a piecemeal, half-baked fashion. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Members, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Department of Transportation Inspector General highlighted
Amtrak
Amtrak
Amtrak
Report: Drug, Alcohol Use Among Amtrak Employees ‘Trending Upward’
Drug and alcohol use among Amtrak employees “has been generally trending upward since 2006,” an alarming trend that increases the likelihood of a serious wreck, the railroad’s inspector general warned in a recently released report. In 2011, Amtrak’s combined positive test rate was roughly 51 percent higher than the industry average, its worst year since 2007, according to the report. The increase in drug use poses a risk to not only Amtrak employees, but also to the traveling public, the inspector general warns. The new report was released just before the railroad set a new annual ridership record, carrying more
Amtrak
Amtrak: Book Early For Thanksgiving Travel
WASHINGTON – Amtrak, anticipating its busiest travel day of the year, is urging passengers to book their Thanksgiving holiday tickets early for best availability and pricing. The busiest travel days that are likely to sell out are the Tuesday and Wednesday before and the Saturday and Sunday following Thanksgiving. In time for this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, Amtrak will offer two new service expansions. Starting Nov. 1, the Downeaster will offer expanded rail service to Freeport and Brunswick, Maine. Tickets for this new service go on sale Oct. 1. In addition, tickets are now available for new Amtrak Thruway bus service
Amtrak