NEW YORK — Amtrak has experienced another significant round of equipment-related train cancellations, with some 20 trains scrubbed before the start of operations today (Feb. 5) on the Northeast Corridor.
The same 20 trains will also be cancelled on Friday (Feb. 6).
Early today, the company announced the cancellation of seven Acela trips, 10 Northeast Regional trains, and three Keystone Service trains.
Acelas canceled were northbounds Nos. 2150 and 2168 (Washington-Boston), 2124 (Washington-New York), and 2192 (New York-Boston), as well as southbounds 2153, 2167 and 2171 (all Boston-Washington). Northeast Regional cancellations include northbounds 84, 112, 130, and 192 (Washington-New York) and 176 (Washington-Boston), and southbounds 111, 113, 119, and 131 (New York-Washington), and 173 (Boston-Washington). Keystone trains cancelled are 644 (Harrisburg-New York) and 601 (Philadelphia-Harrisburg), as well as the New York-Philadelphia segment of No. 607.
Those cancellations were attributed to “equipment unavailability” on the Amtrak NEC Alerts feed on X.com, and “winter-weather related equipment issues” in a statement to Trains.
“Amtrak will communicate directly with impacted customers with reservations on affected trains,” the statement reads. “These customers will typically be accommodated on the next available departing train or on a different day. Amtrak will waive additional charges for affected customers looking to change their reservations during the modified schedule.”
The Boston Globe reports Amtrak posted on X.com, “Due to maintenance after the winter storms, engines are not available for some Acela routes.” That post no longer appears on the NEC Alerts feed.
— Updated at 2:03 p.m. with Amtrak statement and that trains are also cancelled on Friday. To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
Wow, look at all the “cost savings” money that can be plowed into bonuses!
Seriously, if they can’t do a better job on equipment repair and availability, and given the report that they will be unable to accept scheduled deliveries of AIRO trains due to lack of dedicated maintenance facilites, we’re looking at a total meltdown. The entire board and executive team should be summarily fired.
Have to wonder: Is Amtrak cancelling all these trips due to lack of bookings? It will be interesting the loads for the operating trains today and tomorrow.
One other item might be a request by the power companies to reduce demand.
If all cancellations are due to equipment failures, then the consequences come from Amtrak not having enough indoor facilities. The OIG report has just shown another problem that is the consequences of Amtrak neglect.
Alan — As I have posted in recent days, I have the same suspicion you do. Some (not all) cancellations may be to balance the number of trains against lower ticket sales. Most customers have access to real-time train schedules on their phones or computers. If this is the case, most patrons can know not to wait for a train that isn’t coming and can rebook for another schedule that still runs.
I have no inside information, just my hunch. Airlines rebook passengers as schedules change in real time for any number of reasons. My guess (only a guess) is that Amtrak does the same.