A shortage of workers is leading Amtrak to limit California Zephyr service to the Chicago-Denver portion of its route, effective today. The Zephyr becomes the first of Amtrak’s long distance trains to see a change in service because of the coronavirus outbreak. An email to Amtrak employees says a worker on the route has tested […]
Sunday morning rail news: — Canada is restricting domestic travel by passengers showing signs of the COVID-19 virus, such as fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the rules Saturday; they go into effect Monday at noon. The Canadian Press reports that under the order issued by Transport Canada, VIA Rail Canada, […]
A Saturday morning update of rail operation changes because of the COVID-19 outbreak: — San Francisco’s Muni is shutting down all light rail service as of Monday, March 30, replacing the service with buses. Subway stations will be closed, except for those also used by Bay Area Rapid Transit trains. Closure of the Muni Metro […]
— One crewman suffered a foot injury when nine auto racks of Amtrak’s northbound Auto Train derailed Thursday afternoon near DeLand, Fla. None of the train’s passenger cars derailed and no passengers were injured, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, which attributed the derailment to “a problem with the track.” The passenger portion of the […]
A Brightline train departs West Palm Beach, Fla., in 2019. The Florida passenger service has shut down indefinitely because of the COVID-19 virus. TRAINS: David Lassen Thursday morning rail news: — Florida passenger service Brightline shut down operations Wednesday and laid off 250 of its 300 employees because of the coronavirus pandemic. In an email […]
Tuesday morning updates on rail service changes because of the COVID-19 outbreak: •Amtrak’s San Joaquins will suspend three round trips as of Thursday, March 26, close some stations, and suspend cafe car service. Four round trips will continue to operate. The trains eliminated — Nos. 701, 702, 703, 704, 714, and 717 — are those […]
Washington-bound Acela Express No. 2159 flies through the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Mansfield, Mass., station at over 100 mph in June 2017. Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson told employees that one day last week, Acela ridership was down 99% from the same day a year earlier. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — At a weekly “town hall” telephone […]
A TEXRail train passes the station at Grapevine, Texas. TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express service is being reduced as of today. Lance Lassen A roundup of Monday morning rail news: — Amtrak has suspended all Acela Express service on the Northeast Corridor, reflecting a dramatic drop in usage for America’s only high speed rail service. […]
An LA Metro light rail train boards at LA Union Station. Metro has trimmed service with California under a “shelter in place” order. TRAINS: David Lassen A Saturday update on rail service changes and other responses to the COVID-19 virus. Because of the rapidly evolving situation, check with local service providers or Amtrak.com for the […]
A Metra train passes through Elmwood Park, Ill., on March 13, 2020. Metra will cut weekday service by about half as of Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen Friday news on coronavirus-related changes in rail service: — Chicago’s Metra will cut service by about half beginning on Monday, March 23. There will be changes on every line […]
Lincoln Service train 302 speeds through Odell, Ill., on a 110-mph test segment in November 2016. It is one of the two Lincoln Service round trips cancelled as of Saturday. Bob Johnston CHICAGO — Beginning Saturday, March 21, Amtrak service on three Illinois routes out of Chicago will be reduced beginning Saturday, March 21. The […]
Still more Thursday rail news: — The trade organization for U.S. transit agencies is asking for more than $12 billion in federal emergency aid to help agencies deal with the increased costs and dramatic drop in ridership revenue stemming from the COVID-19 virus. In a “Call to Action” message to its members, the American Public […]
