by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:43 AM ET, Tue May 22, 2018
The summer season is always busy for transportation companies, and Amtrak revealed it is expecting heavy ridership as passengers hit the rails for convenient and flexible summer vacations.
Travelers looking for an affordable way to see the United States during summer vacation are encouraged to book their Amtrak travel early in order to secure the best rates and ensure the journeys will not be sold out.
Amtrak officials revealed demand for July travel has increased already compared to last summer.
"On Amtrak trains, customers can visit the most popular cities in the country for their summer travel, whether it's to catch a baseball game, explore a new city, experience a summer musical festival, have an outdoor biking or hiking adventure or take it easy and relax at a beach," Amtrak chief marketing officer Tim Griffin said in a statement. "Instead of sitting in traffic to reach these destinations, sit in comfort and enjoy the journey with Amtrak."
As for the Memorial Day holiday travel period, the rail company is expecting more than 320,000 customers to hit the rails for summer day trips, weekend getaways and longer vacations. To meet the increase in demand, Amtrak is focusing on its most popular trains, the Northeast Regional, Acela Express and Pacific Surfliner.
To help make the journeys easier on travelers, Amtrak has upgraded its free Wi-Fi on Northeast Corridor trains and refreshed its train interiors. The company also offers the freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times, the ability to travel with small pets and bikes on many trains, a generous baggage policy, large spacious seats with ample leg room and no middle seat.
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