The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is suing Amtrak in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts after the two companies failed to reach agreement on new, vastly increased access fees for MBTA commuter trains operating between Attleboro, Mass., at the Rhode Island border, and Providence, R.I., on the Northeast Corridor.
First State Manufacturing (FSM) announced on Jan. 20, 2016 that it has been awarded two new multi-year contracts with Amtrak to provide repair and refurbishment of upholstered needs and to operate a distribution center supplying new cushions for the passenger railroad’s fleet.
The Amtrak Cardinal (Trains 50 & 51) now has an available upgrade to Business Class, making one of the most scenic routes on the railroad’s network an even more comfortable way to travel as it goes from New York to Chicago, via Washington; White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; Cincinnati, Ohio and Indianapolis, Ind., Amtrak announced on Jan. 14, 2016. The upgrade is effective Jan. 19 and 20.
January 6th in religious terms is The Epiphany. It was on this occasion that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave New Yorkers an epiphany of their own by unveiling Empire Station Complex, a multi-billion-dollar project—yet unfunded—making New York’s Pennsylvania Station the focal point of transportation for the New York Metropolitan area.
Amtrak says it is continuing its commitment and progress to ever more sustainable operations by focusing on fuel and energy conservation as well as other initiatives. America’s Railroad® has incorporated sustainability practices throughout its operation of more than 300 trains that travel each day to more than 500 destinations.
A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study released Jan. 6, 2016, “Amtrak: Better Reporting, Planning, and Improved Financial Information Could Enhance Decision Making,” recommends that Amtrak take certain steps to improve its performance.
Amtrak activated its final segment of ACSES (Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System), its version of Positive Train Control (PTC), along the Northeast Corridor on Dec. 18, 2015. ACSES is now fully functional on all Amtrak-owned track between Washington, D.C., and Boston, almost two weeks before the Congressionally imposed original deadline of Dec. 31, which has since been extended by three years.
Amtrak announced on Dec. 17, 2015 that its Chicago-San Antonio Texas Eagle (Trains 21 and 22) is operating on a new route between Fort Worth and Dallas, and that the U.S. Senate confirmed Tony Coscia and Derek Kan as Amtrak board of directors members.
Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman informed the Amtrak Board of Directors on Dec. 9, 2015 that he plans to retire from Amtrak in September 2016, following nearly eight years of service with the railroad.
Led by a record of more than 8.2 million trips on its Northeast Regional service, Amtrak ridership and ticket revenue remained steady in Fiscal Year 2015, reflecting continued demand for passenger rail, the company announced Dec. 2. However, Amtrak notes that “significant and predictable investment is needed to ensure that intercity passenger rail will continue to deliver nationwide benefits including providing safe and reliable mobility and advancing America’s economy.”