Amtrak unveiled plans to significantly boost its ridership with two sweeping initiatives to significantly boost ridership in tandem with the debut of an Auto Train sale that features rates starting at $35 for travel between the Northeast and Florida.
The 2024 initiatives – improving customer train service and modernizing the rail company’s infrastructure – are designed to drive Amtrak’s goal of “doubling annual ridership to 66 million by Fiscal Year 2040 ,” the company said.
“Amtrak has rebounded from the pandemic and is growing again as part of our plan to double ridership by 2040,” said CEO Stephen Gardner. “With funding from the infrastructure bill in hand, we and our partners are transforming intercity passenger rail across the country in a big way.”
The initiatives will enable the company to introduce “new and expanded services, advance safety and reliability, improve accessibility, drive economic development and enhance the customer experience,” Amtrak said.
The improvements are also designed to modernize and upgrade the company’s infrastructure, stations, fleet and technology.”
On the customer service front, the company said its plan include, expanding food-and-beverage offerings in keeping with customer demand; investing in “talent and training for frontline teams – with emphasis on customer service as part of a new World Class training program”; hiring more than 3,500 new employees to rebuild existing infrastructure and meet the growing demand for passenger rail”; and “advancing Amtrak’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy while expanding Total Rewards Offerings to help retain and recruit the best talent.”
Meanwhile, travelers looking to avoid driving between the Northeast and Florida, can take advantage of the Auto Train Sale, and bring their cars on board. In addition to coach rates starting at $35, the sale offer fares starting at $235 for a First Class private room, not including vehicle cost. “For those traveling with the whole family, fares for kids aged 2-12 start at just $17.50,” Amtrak said.
The sale’s fares are in effect for bookings made from Jan. 30-Feb. 8, 2024.
“The offer is valid for travel northbound from Sanford, Fla., to Lorton, Va., from Feb. 1, 2024 – March 14, 2024, and southbound travel from Lorton, Va., to Sanford, Fla., Feb. 19, 2024 – July 25, 2025,” the company said.
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