Amtrak is restoring long-distance service and dining, and replacing seat cushions

[MULTIZ321]

Amtrak is restoring long-distance service and dining, and replacing seat cushions.

Amtrak is restoring long-distance service and dining, and replacing seat cushions - Streetsblog Chicago

Amtrak wants to make riding across the United States cheaper, more comfortable, and easier this year, as more and more people get vaccinated and it becomes safer to travel.

chi.streetsblog.org

Richard

 

[beejaybeeohio]

I just booked us on the Cascades in business class from Seattle to Portland and bid for a compartment! Ironically the senior fare pp was $4.50 more than for the adult, so if any senior is looking to book Amtrak check out both pricing options!

 

[rapmarks]

I just booked us on the Cascades in business class from Seattle to Portland and bid for a compartment! Ironically the senior fare pp was $4.50 more than for the adult, so if any senior is looking to book Amtrak check out both pricing options!

maybe they think they might have to help a senior up and down those steps

 

[Passepartout]

There is a move afoot to restore Amtrak's Pioneer route through here, but I think it's just 'romantic fantasy'. Nobody is going to get up at 3am to board a train to either SLC or Portland to ride all day when a plane ride is an hour for under a hundred bucks.

 

[Panina]

While traveling earlier this month on the Silver Route, Florida/NY, I was told full dining would be back October/November.

 

[elaine]

There is a move afoot to restore Amtrak's Pioneer route through here, but I think it's just 'romantic fantasy'. Nobody is going to get up at 3am to board a train to either SLC or Portland to ride all day when a plane ride is an hour for under a hundred bucks.

agree. and cross country is a couple of days--coach fare not too bad--but likely can fly for less. Small bunk bed sleeping car for 2 is likely $500+. I can't see many people doing that or Amtrak being anywhere near self supporting for those long hauls.

 

[Panina]

agree. and cross country is a couple of days--coach fare not too bad--but likely can fly for less. Small bunk bed sleeping car for 2 is likely $500+. I can't see many people doing that or Amtrak being anywhere near self supporting for those long hauls.

I did a long haul from FL to NY and every sleeper car room was taken. Train lovers do not care how long it takes. The question is are there enough train lovers on the routes?

 

[Superchief]

We make at least 2 long distance train trips per year because of the scenery and relaxation they provide. The sleeper accommodations are always sold out, especially during Covid. Amtrak could easily ad a couple sleeper cars to the Southwest Chief, CA Zephyr, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and Cardinal and they would likely be filled. My only concern is that bedroom prices have doubled this year and roomettes have also increased substantially. Many of the superliner cars are also in need of refurbishment.

Long distance train travel provides decompression, and we consider our vacation to start when we board the train. I can't say the same thing about flying. I traveled extensively for business and it was mostly by air.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Biden wants to bring Amtrak to a Northeast commuter corridor. Will riders support it?

Biden has a plan to restore train service to commuter corridor. Will riders support it?

Biden wants to spend billions to create new passenger train lines, including one connecting the Lehigh Valley to New York. Its future is uncertain.

www.nbcnews.com

.


Richard

 

[elaine]

Small bunk bed sleeping car for 2 is likely $500+. I can't see many people doing that or Amtrak being anywhere near self supporting for those long hauls.

thinking about cross country for next spring: sleeping car for 2 from Washington to Flagstaff is $2K with a 6 hour layover in Chicago. 2 coach seats (56 hours) is under $400.

 

[Passepartout]

It's gonna take more than new seat cushions to get me on a train for multiple days/nights.

 

[Superchief]

thinking about cross country for next spring: sleeping car for 2 from Washington to Flagstaff is $2K with a 6 hour layover in Chicago. 2 coach seats (56 hours) is under $400.

Have you considered a roomette? It is probably 1/2 the price of a bedroom. It is cramped at night on the top bunk, but includes all meals and at least you can sleep in a bed. The bedrooms have gotten too expensive.

 

[elaine]

Have you considered a roomette?

love those--not offered.

 

[Luanne]

It's gonna take more than new seat cushions to get me on a train for multiple days/nights.

One night overnight was more than enough for me.

 

[wilma]

We traveled from whitefish, mt to the sf Bay Area in July of 2019 in a large room. We spent 2 nights on the train and didn’t sleep much as it was noisy and uncomfortable but the day time rides were very beautiful and fun. Some of the employees were nasty, one telling us not to call for his help unless were dying and that no one would be cleaning the group restrooms overnight. The restrooms were gross in the morning. Not sure I would ever do an overnight again.

 

[wackymother]

Biden wants to bring Amtrak to a Northeast commuter corridor. Will riders support it?

Biden has a plan to restore train service to commuter corridor. Will riders support it?

Biden wants to spend billions to create new passenger train lines, including one connecting the Lehigh Valley to New York. Its future is uncertain.

www.nbcnews.com

.


Richard

The Northeast Corridor has basically supported Amtrak all these years, ever since the system was gutted years ago. Going from Boston to New York to Philly to Washington by train is an absolute dream compared to flying. So yes, there is support for bettter service on the Northeast Corridor.

 

[Superchief]

love those--not offered.

Are they sold out? I have roomettes reserved on the Cardinal and Southwest Chief from Cincinnati to Flagstaff in March 2022 and the cost for one was about $900. Bedroom would have been about 1800. A second person would cost an additional $200. This year, the cost was only $750 so prices are definitely climbing.

 

[elaine]

Must have been the day I used. Roomettes are $1544 for 2--still a bit steep, IMHO.

 

[Superchief]

Must have been the day I used. Roomettes are $1544 for 2--still a bit steep, IMHO.

I agree. I think Amtrak will lose a lot of potential customers with their new pricing strategy. That would have cost about $900 last year. They hire too many former airline executives who use pricing strategies that increase the price each time a room is booked, and they have no competition.

 

[beejaybeeohio]

I wish the "Man in Seat 61" was as thorough in reviewing Amtrak routes as he is for European trains! Our last major train journey was in November 2019 from Budapest to Munich. We booked business class fro only 69 euro each. Just out of Budapest the engine failed so back to the station until a new one could be attached to the train. This new engine was slow as molasses and in Vienna we were told to get off the train and board the next one, which had caught up to ours, due to arrive in about 30 minutes. Little did we know that our seats in business weren't valid on the 2nd train. Very embarrassing especially with the language barrier, but we did end up in the same class thanks to a gentlemen who switched seats so we would have 2 together. We've also taken a train from Berlin to Prague with a better experience in a compartment shared with 4 happy Australians. My only Amtrak trip was from BWI to Union Station in D.C.