Latest news with #NortheastRegional
Time Out
4 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
Amtrak's fastest train ever will be leaving out of Penn Station later this month
New York, get ready to shave some minutes off your Boston and D.C. escapes: Amtrak's fastest train yet is officially pulling into service. On Thursday, August 28, the first of the long-awaited NextGen Acela fleet will debut on the Northeast Corridor, connecting Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston at top speeds the U.S. hasn't seen before. (According to Amtrak, the new train will have a top speed of 160mph, which is 10mph faster than the current Acela fleet.) The launch is more than just a fresh coat of paint on America's most famous train. It's the first step in a full high-speed refresh: 28 brand-new trainsets will roll out through 2027, offering 27-percent more seats per departure and an expanded schedule for weekday commuters and weekend getaway-seekers alike. Five sleek new trainsets will start service this month, with the rest phasing in over the next two years. The onboard perks are more jet set than choo-choo. Riders can expect free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, individual power outlets and reading lights at every seat—because this is the kind of train you can work on without fighting for an outlet. The interiors are designed to feel more spacious, with upgraded finishes and lighting that make the old Acela suddenly look… well, old. Booking is straightforward, too. NextGen Acela options will be available on the Amtrak app, website and station kiosks. The new trains will run alongside the existing Acela fleet as they transition into full service, so you'll want to check which version you're boarding if you're after that 'new train smell.' And if you're picturing these sleek cars coming from overseas, think again. The NextGen Acela was assembled in Hornell, New York, by Machinists Union workers, with parts from over 180 suppliers across 29 states, a project Amtrak says has supported roughly 15,000 U.S. jobs. The upgrade is just one part of Amtrak's broader modernization push. On the horizon are new Amtrak Airo trains for the Cascades, Northeast Regional and East Coast routes; more efficient long-distance locomotives; and refreshed interiors for coaches, dining cars, sleepers and lounges. For now, though, the star is the NextGen Acela—a faster, roomier and more connected ride that aims to make train travel not just competitive with flying, but actually the more pleasant choice. And come August 28, you can catch it right out of Penn Station
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Amtrak passengers safe after train stuck in tunnel north of Baltimore during heat wave
Dozens of Amtrak passengers safe after train stuck in tunnel near Baltimore during heat wave Dozens of Amtrak passengers safe after train stuck in tunnel near Baltimore during heat wave Dozens of Amtrak passengers safe after train stuck in tunnel near Baltimore during heat wave Dozens of Amtrak passengers are safe after a train got stuck in a tunnel without power north of Baltimore during a heat wave Monday. Amtrak said the Northeast Regional 94 train stopped in a tunnel shortly after it departed from Baltimore Penn Station around 3:40 p.m. Train breaks down in tunnel near Baltimore Amtrak said the issue was caused by a locomotive malfunction. According to passengers, the train quickly began to heat up after it stopped. Some train cars were without air conditioning even before it stopped moving, passengers told WJZ. "The train completely lost power, we were in a dark tunnel. No power, no lights, no AC, and we were just waiting for updates from the train station," said passenger Destiny Thompson. The train returned to Penn Station about an hour and 15 minutes after it stopped. Passengers said they then had to wait for another train to take them north toward their destinations. According to Thompson, who was traveling from Virginia, this was not the first time the 94 train broke down on Monday. Amtrak responds Amtrak said passengers were given snacks and water after the train was stopped for nearly 30 minutes. The company said passengers were also provided with train service to their final destinations. "After a locomotive malfunction, passengers on Amtrak Train 94 were transferred to Baltimore Station and then provided train service to their final destination. Service recovery was initiated on board with snack packs and bottled water. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," a company spokesperson said in a statement. Heat wave in Maryland The Amtrak issues came as Maryland is experiencing a heat wave that sent feels like temperatures to triple digits on Monday. The dangerous heat, which peaked at 98 degrees at BWI Airport on Monday, prompted concerns across the state. Baltimore declared a Code Red extreme heat alert that will last through Thursday, June 26, as the heat wave is expected to continue. With temperatures expected to reach the 100s again on Tuesday, residents have been advised to take precautions, such as dressing in loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and taking breaks when outdoors.
Time Out
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Amtrak's first-ever one-seat train will connect Long Island to the rest of civilization
Say goodbye to the Penn Station shuffle. For the first time ever, the national railroad has announced plans for a direct, one-seat (a.k.a. no-transfer) train route connecting Long Island to Washington, D.C., and other Northeast Corridor cities. The proposal would extend three daily Northeast Regional roundtrips east from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma, with stops in Jamaica and Hicksville, creating a seamless link between the island and the mainland U.S. Translation: No more juggling the LIRR, NJ Transit and the PATH just to get to Philly. The plan, first revealed at Amtrak's May 22 board meeting and reported by Gothamist, wouldn't launch until at least 2030 and hinges on several factors—namely, the completion of East River Tunnel repairs and the arrival of new Airo trains, which can run on both overhead catenary and third-rail systems. Nicole Bucich, Amtrak's vice president of network development, confirmed the demand: 'We're not just competitive, we're probably faster and we're getting people to the center of the city.' She added there's strong interest in direct service from Long Island to D.C., Philadelphia and New Jersey. The proposed service is still in early planning but would run three daily off-peak trains east from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma, and three westbound trips back to D.C., totaling around five hours per ride. The federal government has listed the corridor as one of 69 priority routes for expansion, and Amtrak has applied for up to $500,000 in funding to conduct a technical study. This wouldn't require building new stations or major infrastructure, but it would require the MTA's cooperation. Amtrak relies on LIRR-owned tracks, and the two agencies are already at odds over tunnel closures impacting LIRR service. For now, the MTA says it's cooperating with the study. Commuter advocates say this modest step could finally inch the region toward long-desired 'through-running' service, integrating NJ Transit and LIRR so passengers don't have to switch at Penn. It's an idea long championed by former NYC Transit president and current Amtrak exec Andy 'Train Daddy' Byford.
Axios
04-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Richmond's Amtrak trains are fuller — and slower
While more people than ever are hopping aboard an Amtrak train in Virginia, train delays in the state seem to be getting worse. Why it matters: The on-time performance (OTP) rate for trains along the Northeast Regional line in Virginia — the line that runs through Richmond — is down 10% from fiscal year 2019, according to an Axios review of rail stats. The big picture: Like many travel sectors, Amtrak has been experiencing a post-pandemic surge in ridership. Last year, the rail company set an all-time ridership record nationwide with 32.8 million passengers hopping aboard a train in the last fiscal year. But its OTP has been ticking down overall, dropping from 80% in 2020 to 74% in 2022 and 2023, according to the most recent stats from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Zoom in: The Richmond corridor's OTP has been closer to 70% in recent years, slightly higher than the 69% for the whole Northeast Regional line, per Virginia Passenger Rail Authority data. That OTP comes as the Virginia Amtrak routes just set another all-time ridership record, this time for April. By the numbers: Thus far this year, Richmond's OTP is 65.4%, lower than the 71.9% for all Virginia Amtrak routes. In 2024, Richmond's OTP was 71% vs. 72.3% on all Virginia routes. In 2023, Richmond's OTP was 75.6%. The state's: 74.3%. ✈️ For comparison, the Richmond airport's on-time rate for departures is at 79% thus far this year, per the latest Bureau of Transportation Statistics data. It was 80% or higher for the previous five years. The fine print: The Richmond corridor includes all trains between D.C. and Richmond, Karina Romero with VPRA tells Axios. VPRA tracks OTP by the calendar year, while Amtrak does it by fiscal year. And according to both, OTP represents the percentage of stations where a train arrives within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival time, Romero says. Between the lines: There are multiple reasons trains end up running late, including accommodating more riders, but the most common in Virginia tends to be heat restrictions, Romero says. That's because hot weather and the rail's steel lines do not mix well. Other issues that can delay trains include winter weather and, critically, interference from freight trains, which share tracks with Amtrak. In Virginia, two big freight lines, CSX and Norfolk Southern, also happen to own most of the tracks, too. Plus, there can be a domino effect. If a train is delayed heading south out of D.C., which is often where the Virginia bottleneck starts, it'll be delayed the rest of the way through Richmond. Yes, but: There's hope to speed up those trains.
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Washington, DC, health officials confirm measles case ahead of cherry blossom season
Washington, DC, health officials confirm measles case ahead of cherry blossom season Show Caption Hide Caption Measles outbreak: Who's at risk and who's likely immune from virus As measles continue to spread in the U.S., here's who is at risk and who's immune from one of the most contagious viruses in the world. WASHINGTON, D.C. ‒ Local officials warned on Tuesday that a person with a confirmed cases of measles may have exposed others at the city's Union Station and a local urgent care. The case comes as the capital region is gearing up for its signature cherry blossom season, which attracts millions of people each year. In 2024, 1.6 million visitors visited Washington and its surrounding areas for cherry blossom season, according to National Cherry Blossom Festival organizers and Mayor Muriel Bowser's office. The famed blossoms are expected to reach their peak bloom – and peak tourism draw – this weekend. The person who contracted measles traveled on Amtrak's Northeast Regional route heading southbound on March 19. Washington's Department of Health said potential exposure could have occurred between 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. The individual exited through Union Station, with potential exposures between 11:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. The northeast regional route begins in Boston and ends or runs through Washington, including stops in New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Officials did not immediately say where the individual boarded the train. The person went to an urgent care center in the city's northwestern Adams Morgan neighborhood on Saturday, and officials warn that potential exposures could have extended from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 'Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes,' Washington's Department of Health said in the Tuesday statement. City health officials said people who may have been exposed and have not been immunized against the virus should contact their health care provider or health officials at 844-493-2652. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 378 people in 18 states have been diagnosed with measles this year. Outbreaks have occurred primarily in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas and neighboring Lea County, New Mexico. Who is most at risk of measles? People who have received two measles vaccine shots, previously had measles, or were born in the U.S. before 1957 are believed to be immune to the virus. People in the U.S. traditionally receive the measles vaccination around their first birthday. Pregnant women, infants under the age of one and those who are immune compromised are most at risk of complications from measles. Measles symptoms Measles symptoms often develop within 10-14 days of exposure to the virus but may take as long as 21 days to show up. A person with measles is contagious four days before they begin to show signs of a rash and four days after the rash begins. Here are common symptoms of the virus: Fever of more than 101 degrees. Runny nose. Cough. Red, watery eyes. Loss of appetite, diarrhea. A red rash on the face and body typically appears one to four days after early symptoms. Koplik spots, tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, Nathan Diller, Saman Shafiq, Janet Loehrke and Karissa Waddick
