Amtrak to Cut Many Long Distance Trains
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- Created: 19 June 2020 19 June 2020
Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer Roger Harris, in a June 15 letter to employees, announced that Amtrak nationally will cut many long-distance trains as a result of a significant loss in ridership due to the coronavirus. He notes that some services have seen a 95% drop in passengers.
But Railway Age asks if some of the services will be permanently eliminated and the national system destroyed. Amtrak to Cut Many Long Distance Trains
Downeaster Service to Resume June 15th with One Roundtrip
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- Created: 10 June 2020 10 June 2020
NNEPRA has announced that Phase 1 of the restoration of Downeaster service between Brunswick and Boston will get underway on Monday, June 15th with trains #680 & #685.
NNEPRA states that the purpose of the service is to "provide commuting options for essential workers and those who are traveling for essential purposes."
Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols will be implemented, which include:
Read more: Downeaster Service to Resume June 15th with One Roundtrip
NNEPRA Operations Meeting Briefs on Downeaster's Preparations For Return to Service
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- Created: 08 May 2020 08 May 2020
NNEPRA conducts a bi-monthly Operations Committee Meeting for station representatives along the route, town managers, Amtrak management, Homeland Security and other interested parties. Today's virtual meeting saw some 30 participants sign-on from their homes, cars and offices.
NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn briefed all on the rail authority's activities during the current shutdown and what lies ahead for the Downeaster service.
- The Downeaster had seen record ridership/revenue numbers for the first 7 months of FY2020. All data pointed to record ridership approaching 590,000...until the virus brought the service to a halt.
- During this hiatus, NNEPRA has been working with PanAm to accelerated specific track maintenance projects - in particular, tie replacement work between Plastow and Dover. This was scheduled for the fall, it will now begin this spring while train traffic is relatively low (PanAm freights are still running).
- NNEPRA has created a Service Restoration & Recovery Plan (dependent on federal and state requirements).
- All trains will be deep-cleaned at the end of each day in the Brunswick Layover Facility. Amtrak will use a particularly strong disinfectant to kill any viruses onboard the train.
- All Amtrak personnel will wear masks.
- All riders will wear masks. Once at your seat, the mask can be removed.
- Social distancing will require that ridership be limited to half the normal passenger load (approx. 150 per trainset).
- Service will be resumed in three stages:
- 1-Travel restricted - essential workers only
- 2-Travel allowed
- 3-Travel encouraged
- New signage summarizing the 'new reality' will be placed at all stations.
- The restoration of service will likely begin with one roundtrip/day and then slowly increase over time.
- All participants congratulated Patricia and her staff for 'keeping the dream alive' during this difficult period.