A Metra train passes through Elmwood Park, Ill., on March 13, 2020. Metra will cut weekday service by about half as of Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen Friday news on coronavirus-related changes in rail service: — Chicago’s Metra will cut service by about half beginning on Monday, March 23. There will be changes on every line […]
Lincoln Service train 302 speeds through Odell, Ill., on a 110-mph test segment in November 2016. It is one of the two Lincoln Service round trips cancelled as of Saturday. Bob Johnston CHICAGO — Beginning Saturday, March 21, Amtrak service on three Illinois routes out of Chicago will be reduced beginning Saturday, March 21. The […]
Still more Thursday rail news: — The trade organization for U.S. transit agencies is asking for more than $12 billion in federal emergency aid to help agencies deal with the increased costs and dramatic drop in ridership revenue stemming from the COVID-19 virus. In a “Call to Action” message to its members, the American Public […]
A northbound Amtrak Hiawatha passes through Northbrook, Ill., on Feb. 23, 2020. Service frequency is being reduced for the Hiawatha and other Midwest trains. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — As part of its continuing response to coronavirus-related drops in ridership, Amtrak has made the first cuts to its Midwestern service, cancelling the Chicago-Grand Rapids, Mich., […]
Passengers board the Missouri River Runner at Kirkwood, Mo., in 2014. A state house committee has voted to overturn a plan which would cut the service from two round trips to one. Bob Johnston More Tuesday morning rail news: — Amtrak says it and its state partners will need $1 billion in assistance as a […]
Intercity, commuter, and local passenger rail systems contine to adjust to the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are the latest service changes as of Tuesday morning: — Amtrak has announced further reductions. Because Amtrak continues to adjust schedules, check Amtrak.com or Amtrak smartphone apps for the latest status. Here are changes as of Monday evening: – Effective […]
Amtrak’s Auto Train prepares to leave Lorton, Va., on January 29, 2020. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — As Amtrak reduces frequencies in the Northeast and consults with its state partners about reductions on regional corridors, the country’s coronavirus situation is leading to atypical traffic on the Auto Train route, and having at least a temporary impact […]
Passengers board a Missouri River Runner at Kirkwood, Mo., in 2014. The train could be cut from two round trips to one under a Missouri budget proposal. Bob Johnston More Monday morning rail news: — Service on Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner between St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., could be cut from two round trips […]
Monday morning news on passenger and commuter rail systems affected by the coronavirus outbreak: — Amtrak has further reduced operations on the Northeast Corridor, leaving about 40% of the normal weekday schedule in operation, the passenger railroad said Sunday afternoon. Also, in its first schedule change outside of the eastern U.S., Amtrak has cancelled the […]
A northbound Amtrak Hartford Line train arrives in Wallingford, Conn., in August 2019. The Hartford Line is one of those which will see service reductions effective Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen — Amtrak has made more adjustments to its schedules in the Northeast. In addition to the previously announced Northeast Corridor changes [see “Trains News Wire […]
A Saturday update on rail developments stemming from the coronavirus pandemic: — Amtrak will introduce significant cuts to Northeast Corridor service effective Monday, March 16, operating on its Saturday schedule seven days a week through at least March 29, the company has announced. As an example of the degree of cuts involved, the regular weekday […]
U.S. Rep. Lipinski has introduced the Improving the Metra Commuter Experience Act of 2020 (H.R. 6226) to transfer ownership of Chicago Union Station from Amtrak to Metra. David Lassen Note: revises and updates previous version A bill introduced by U.S. Rep Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) would transfer Chicago Union Station from Amtrak to Metra ownership — […]
