Latest news with #LauraMason
Entrepreneur
08-08-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
New NextGen High-Speed Acela Trains Debut in August
Acela high-speed trains are a popular way for commuters and travelers to get around the busy Northeast Corridor through Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston. About three million passengers ride the Acela every year, and when compared to Northeast Regional service, which runs along a similar path, taking the high-speed train can often save passengers at least an hour. Now, after years of delays, Amtrak will debut its new, even faster, NextGen Acela trains on August 28. Amtrak In a statement, Amtrak President Roger Harris said: "In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel." The new trains can reach a maximum speed of 160 miles per hour, which is 10 miles per hour faster than the current Acela trains. They are also larger, with 27% more seats per departure. Free, high-speed Wi-Fi, individual power outlets, and reading lights are standard. We've been working on something fast, sleek, and seriously next level. ? Get your first fresh look at the new NextGen Acela—and trust us, you'll want to see this through to the end. There's a surprise waiting… — Amtrak (@Amtrak) August 7, 2025 Amtrak notes in its statement that the fleet of new trains was assembled in New York State. In a video posted to social media, Amtrak Executive Vice President Laura Mason said that the new trains are a "fundamentally better experience than anything Americans have been able to travel on to date in this country." Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success. Amtrak Related: 'America Has a Private Jet Addiction': These States Have the Most Private Jet Flights
CNN
07-08-2025
- Business
- CNN
Amtrak announces debut date for new Acela trains
Amtrak's NextGen Acela highspeed trains are set to debut this month after years of delays. New faster Acela trains will begin revenue service on August 28 along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, New York and Boston, Amtrak announced on Thursday. 'In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel,' said Amtrak President Roger Harris, in a statement. Five of the new trainsets will be part of the initial launch, with a total of 28 expected to enter service by 2027. Amtrak says the new trains will allow for 27% more seats per departure. The seats will feature individual power outlets, reading lights and winged headrests for comfort and privacy. The trains will be equipped with free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi. The new trains can reach a maximum speed of 160 miles per hour, 10 miles per hour greater than current Acela models. A tilt system will provide a smoother, quieter ride on the new trains, Amtrak says. 'It's a fundamentally better experience than anything Americans have been able to travel on to date in this country,' said Amtrak executive vice president Laura Mason in a video introducing the new trains. The maximum speed of the NextGen Acela is still considerably slower than the world's fastest trains in Asia and Europe, some of which can travel at more than 200 miles per hour. Amtrak first introduced its Acela product in 2000. The NextGen trains were outlooked to enter service in 2022, but experienced numerous hurdles delaying their introduction. Amtrak said it would provide more information as the launch approaches about how passengers can locate and select NextGen Acela trains. Both the current and NextGen models will be in operation in the coming months.
CNN
07-08-2025
- Business
- CNN
Amtrak announces debut date for new Acela trains
FacebookTweetLink Amtrak's NextGen Acela highspeed trains are set to debut this month after years of delays. New faster Acela trains will begin revenue service on August 28 along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, New York and Boston, Amtrak announced on Thursday. 'In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel,' said Amtrak President Roger Harris, in a statement. Five of the new trainsets will be part of the initial launch, with a total of 28 expected to enter service by 2027. Amtrak says the new trains will allow for 27% more seats per departure. The seats will feature individual power outlets, reading lights and winged headrests for comfort and privacy. The trains will be equipped with free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi. The new trains can reach a maximum speed of 160 miles per hour, 10 miles per hour greater than current Acela models. A tilt system will provide a smoother, quieter ride on the new trains, Amtrak says. 'It's a fundamentally better experience than anything Americans have been able to travel on to date in this country,' said Amtrak executive vice president Laura Mason in a video introducing the new trains. The maximum speed of the NextGen Acela is still considerably slower than the world's fastest trains in Asia and Europe, some of which can travel at more than 200 miles per hour. Amtrak first introduced its Acela product in 2000. The NextGen trains were outlooked to enter service in 2022, but experienced numerous hurdles delaying their introduction. Amtrak said it would provide more information as the launch approaches about how passengers can locate and select NextGen Acela trains. Both the current and NextGen models will be in operation in the coming months.
CNN
07-08-2025
- Business
- CNN
Amtrak announces debut date for new Acela trains
FacebookTweetLink Amtrak's NextGen Acela highspeed trains are set to debut this month after years of delays. New faster Acela trains will begin revenue service on August 28 along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, New York and Boston, Amtrak announced on Thursday. 'In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel,' said Amtrak President Roger Harris, in a statement. Five of the new trainsets will be part of the initial launch, with a total of 28 expected to enter service by 2027. Amtrak says the new trains will allow for 27% more seats per departure. The seats will feature individual power outlets, reading lights and winged headrests for comfort and privacy. The trains will be equipped with free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi. The new trains can reach a maximum speed of 160 miles per hour, 10 miles per hour greater than current Acela models. A tilt system will provide a smoother, quieter ride on the new trains, Amtrak says. 'It's a fundamentally better experience than anything Americans have been able to travel on to date in this country,' said Amtrak executive vice president Laura Mason in a video introducing the new trains. The maximum speed of the NextGen Acela is still considerably slower than the world's fastest trains in Asia and Europe, some of which can travel at more than 200 miles per hour. Amtrak first introduced its Acela product in 2000. The NextGen trains were outlooked to enter service in 2022, but experienced numerous hurdles delaying their introduction. Amtrak said it would provide more information as the launch approaches about how passengers can locate and select NextGen Acela trains. Both the current and NextGen models will be in operation in the coming months.
Washington Post
07-08-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
After years of delays, new Acelas launching on August 28
New Amtrak Acela trains, delayed for years over production and testing issues, are coming to the Northeast Corridor on Aug. 28, the agency announced Friday. In a statement, Amtrak President Roger Harris called the 28 new train sets 'an evolution' that will set 'a new standard for American train travel.' Only five of the trains will go into service immediately on the route from Boston to D.C.; the rest will be added to the fleet over the next two years. The new Acelas can reach top speeds of 160 mph versus 150 on the older model and tilt around curves more easily. The current Acela takes two hours and 50 minutes to get from D.C. to New York; Amtrak's near-term plans estimate a trip can be 20 minutes faster. The trains will also have upgraded WiFi connectivity, brighter lighting, bigger windows and more comfortable seats, the agency said, and carry 25 percent more riders while using less energy. Every seat will have its own USB port. 'It's a fundamentally better experience than anything Americans have been able to travel on to date in this country,' Laura Mason, who is in charge of major capital projects at Amtrak, said in a video promoting the change. The current Acelas are a quarter-century old, and replacements were supposed to roll out in 2021. But they were delayed for years in part due to difficulties posed by the aging track and catenary wire along the corridor, as well as logistical issues with testing the trains. The disruption of the coronavirus pandemic caused further problems. 'The legacy Acela trainsets are past their useful service life,' Amtrak's inspector general wrote in 2023. 'Delays have already resulted in significant cost increases, operational impacts, and delayed revenue.' Ridership on the Acela, Amtrak's highest-speed service, was at an all-time high before the pandemic. While overall Amtrak ridership has bounced back, more affordable options have been growing faster than the premier trains. The new trains were built by French manufacturer Alstom at a plant in Hornell, New York, at a cost of $2.5 billion, including maintenance. Amtrak says it will also have new trains in service on the East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest next year, part of a $7.3 billion upgrade. President Joe Biden's infrastructure bill provided funding for long-overdue repairs and improvements along the Northeast Corridor and elsewhere. Next month will also see the reopening of the line between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.
