Latest news with #EliotHamlisch
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Amtrak's new high-speed Acela trains are coming soon to Boston, New York, D.C. and the Northeast Corridor
Amtrak's newest high-speed trains are coming soon to the Northeast Corridor. The "NextGen" Acela trains will start serving riders between Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. on Aug. 28. Five of the new trains will be hitting the rails initially. Amtrak says 28 NextGen Acela trains will be in service by 2027. Other cities that will be served by the NextGen trains include Baltimore, Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia; New Haven, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island. The NextGen trains can reach top speeds of 160 mph, which is 10 mph faster than the current Acela fleet. They feature a "tilt system" that will help the trains navigate curves at high speeds. The new trains have plugs on every seat for riders to charge their devices, free high-speed Wi-Fi, reading lights, winged headrests for privacy and larger bathrooms. "It's a smoother, gentler, more comfortable ride" Amtrak Executive Vice President Eliot Hamlisch said. The new trains will allow for 27% more seats per departure, Amtrak says. Adding the NextGen trains will also allow for more weekday and weekend service. Other cities that will be served by the NextGen trains include Baltimore, Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia; New Haven, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island. In 2019, CBS News got a first look at the NextGen trains that Amtrak said would shave about 15 to 20 minutes off the busy route between New York and D.C. At the time, the company said it hoped to have the trains running by 2021. A 2023 watchdog report from the Amtrak Office of Inspector General on the years-long delay found that vendor's designs had not yet met federal safety requirements and the trainsets had defects that needed to be fixed.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Amtrak's new high-speed Acela trains are coming soon to Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.
Amtrak's newest high-speed trains are coming soon to the Northeast Corridor. The "NextGen" Acela trains will start serving riders between Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. on Aug. 28. Five of the new trains will be hitting the rails initially. Amtrak says 28 NextGen Acela trains will be in service by 2027. The NextGen trains can reach top speeds of 160 mph, which is 10 mph faster than the current Acela fleet. They feature a "tilt system" that will help the trains navigate curves at high speeds. The new trains have plugs on every seat for riders to charge their devices, free high-speed Wi-Fi, reading lights, winged headrests for privacy and larger bathrooms. "It's a smoother, gentler, more comfortable ride" Amtrak Executive Vice President Eliot Hamlisch said. The new trains will allow for 27% more seats per departure, Amtrak says. Adding the NextGen trains will also allow for more weekday and weekend service. Other cities that will be served by the NextGen trains include Baltimore, Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia; New Haven, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island. In 2019, CBS News got a first look at the NextGen trains that Amtrak said would shave about 15 to 20 minutes off the busy route between New York and D.C. At the time, the company said it hoped to have the trains running by 2021. A 2023 watchdog report from the Amtrak Office of Inspector General on the years-long delay found that vendor's designs had not yet met federal safety requirements and the trainsets had defects that needed to be fixed.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Coach Class Riders Can Now Access Premium Lounges at Amtrak Stations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Amtrak has opened its Metropolitan Lounge network to Coach Class riders. A majority of the company's nationwide network of premium waiting areas is now available to ticket holders who pay $35 per person. "Opening the doors to our Metropolitan Lounges for all our guests adds more time to relax and travel comfortably and conveniently when traveling with Amtrak," said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch in a press release. "We look forward to welcoming our Coach Class customers at our national network of Metropolitan Lounges and delighting them with all the amenities our Lounges have to offer." A Single Visit Pass is good for lounges including those at commuter hot spots like Boston South Station, Chicago Union Station, Los Angeles Union Station, William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, Portland Union Station and Washington Union Station. A pass for the lounge at the heavily traveled Moynihan Train Hall at New York Penn Station costs $50. A passenger and lounge user getting coffee at the Metropolitan Lounge at Moynihan Train Hall in New York City. A passenger and lounge user getting coffee at the Metropolitan Lounge at Moynihan Train Hall in New York City. Amtrak Amtrak Guest Rewards customers can redeem their rewards points in advance of their visit for a Single Visit Pass. The cost is 1,500 points. Single Visit Passes can be purchased at the front desk of any Metropolitan Lounge or online when using reward points. Metropolitan Lounges are designed to be akin to airline lounges. Each includes seating, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, snacks and free Wi-Fi. Additionally, attendants are available to assist with reservations, ticketing and local information. Guests also have access to complementary conference rooms, that can be booked in advance, at select locations. The new paid access does not exclude other access. Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Executive and Select Plus members, Acela First Class riders and private room passengers ticketed for same-day travel are welcome. This move is part of a larger push by Amtrak to modernize and transform rail travel in the U.S. The organization aims to expand the number of train stations and trains, as well as improve the infrastructure of the Amtrak network. In 2024, Amtrak set a record, carrying 32.8 million passengers, a 15 percent year-over-year increase. That same year, the organization invested $4.5 billion into major infrastructure and fleet projects.
