Watch your step moving from car to car while the train is in motion, as the vestibules can be slippery. And be sure to contact your particular airline about any changes in travel rules, including: Current mask policies for kids and adults (throughout check-in, boarding and the flight itself) Traveling with infants on your lap Changes in meal service 2 . Linking to a non-federal Website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. At the time, it also limited bookings, switched to cashless onboard payments, and promoted physical distancing on trains. COVID-19 Prevention Actions. During the 2019 fiscal year, Amtrak carried a record 32.5 million passengers; however, an Amtrak internal analysis in April showed a 95 percent drop in ridership because of the coronavirus. Amtrak encourages boarding with eTickets, which conductors scan from the app. We will send password reset instructions. Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? Help children when boarding and leaving the train. Coronavirus and Travel: What You Should Know, Many restrictions ease with lower COVID-19 case numbers, What to Do if Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed, How to keep your trip on track with bad weather and staff shortages disrupting travel, The Latest TSA Security Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Youll need a mask, and patience, when passing through airport screenings this winter. This tool was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use by CDC. Weve been working diligently to enhance our safety protocols, including partnering with Lysol to reinforce disinfection protocols, utilizing EPA-registered cleaning products and enhancing cleaning on commonly used surfaces. One such innovation is the expansion of reserved seating on Acela trains. For More Information Jason Abrams MediaRelations@Amtrak.com Amtrak Contact 202 906.3860 About Amtrak Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. Passwords are case sensitive. / : ; < = > ? In fact, I had taken my inaugural journey on the bucket-list route back in early February, riding south from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo and then, a few days later, catching the train down again to the end of the line in Los Angeles. This article was published more than1 year ago. This is what 6 experts say. The removal of somerestrictions on Multi-Ride ticketson the Northeast Corridor is extended through April 30, 2022. That answer wasnt correct either. Amtrak has canceled about two dozen trains, blaming bad weather and COVID-19 cases among workers. Even though health experts are less concerned about coronavirus transmission from surfaces than they are from respiratory droplets in the air, pack sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer that is at least 60% ethyl alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol. That answer wasnt correct either. Most passengers were respectful of the rules, though there was the occasional person who used this rule as a way to get around wearing a mask for an extended period of time in other sections, like the observation car. Fee waivers: Amtrak is waiving all change fees for any changes made by December 31, 2023 on fares that have change fees. FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. privacy policy. CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels provide information about the amount of severe illness in the community where you are located to help you decide when to take action to protect yourself and . Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Pack your vaccine card with your passport , then check if you need an actual vaccine passport, too, 4. WASHINGTON - June is National Safety Month and Amtrak is using the annual observance to remind the public of the importance of railroad safety onboard trains, in stations and around tracks this summer. Passwords are case sensitive. By clicking Join, you acknowledge you have read and agree to the program terms, including the binding arbitration agreement, in the Vaccine passports may be as essential as a photo ID. Tips: Advice column | Coronavirus testing | Vaccinations | Vaccine passports | Sanitizing your hotel | Updating documents | Summer trips |Travel vouchers | Ask us your travel questions, Flying: Pandemic packing | Airport risks | Staying healthy on planes | Fly or drive? ! " Let's try a different question. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Update: Amtrak in the Age of COVID-19. www.roadsbridges.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. Youre in car 31 thats my car! March 15, 20213:28 PM. Free online workshop! National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/planning-booking/tickets-id-safety-security/personal-safety. National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/planning-booking/planning-booking-tips/riding-on-amtrak-train-for-the-first-time. Passengers boarding at any staffed station or station with an Amtrak kiosk should purchase tickets prior to boarding the train. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. To prepare for your post-vaccination travels, we compiled this checklist to help you get squared away before you go. ! " Welcome aboard. May 24, 2021. About 1.5% of Amtrak's trains are being reduced until Thursday, with . Other precautions include the removal of non-safety materials from seatback pockets, and automatic door open buttons that customers can tap with their foot to move between cars. Since COVID-19 disrupted much of the world in March, Railway Age has followed developments, documenting transit's decline in the spring and its slow recovery in October. We are seniors and had taken a room for the trip. Passwords are case sensitive. The CDC recommends domestic and international travelers get a viral test one to three days before departure and three to five days after travel. As with airlines, federal regulations require all Amtrak passengers to wear masks at all times aboard trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status and state and local laws. Passwords are case sensitive, should be at least 10 characters long and should include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. Seating Accommodations AARP Membership LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. / : ; < = > ? A car is only as safe as the precautious you take, according to Suzanne Pham, a physician who directs Weiss Memorial Hospital's COVID-19 hospital response in Chicago. Since not all routes have the reserved seating option, customers are able to see seating availability to get a sense of how busy their train will be. GET THE APP Amtrak RideReserve for Multi-Ride Passes Leave personal food items and baggage at your seat. As the sun set on my first day, I was ready to call it a night. (Amtrak declined to answer my inquiries on whether or not this violated their mask policy, but they did say that refusing to wear a mask in a public space will result in prompt removal from the train.). Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. After a year of bad news, travelers finally have something to look forward to again. Face Coverings While Amtrak passengers and employees are no longer required to wear masks while on board trains or in stations, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19. Learn more about our baggage policies. COVID-19 has fast-tracked many innovations already in the works. The Pennsylvanian and Keystone lines covering Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and New . "While Amtrak passengers and employees are no longer required to wear masks while on board trains or in stations, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19," the statement read. Amtrak President Stephen Gardner told a House Transportation subcommittee that roughly 95% of its 17,000 employees have been fully vaccinated ahead of a Jan. 4 deadline. Stand back from the edge of the platform. . Passengers who want quiet choose the quiet car. Amtrak's unique travel experience for families, individuals and groups, Tickets & fares, accessible travel service, security & ID requirements, Boarding information, station lounges, baggage & station services, Seating & sleeping, baggage info, train amenities, food & dining, Amtrak travel deals, promotions and other partner offers, Savings for Kids, Seniors, Military, Groups and More, Train vacation packages throughout North America, USA Rail passes, monthly passes and multi-ride tickets, Earn points toward Amtrak reward travel, upgrades and more, Discover member benefits, ways to earn or redeem points and more, Explore ways to earn points that can quickly add up to great rewards, Get even more benefits with an Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card. If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The only reason I needed to leave my roomette was to use the restroom, a regularly cleaned compartment about the size of an airplane bathroom at the end of the hall. Passengers must remain masked unless in a private room (available on long-distance routes) or actively eating or drinking while maintaining appropriate distance from other passengers. Id spent the day watching the outside world flicker by like a silent film, a few minutes at a time. Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. In a crowded place, a face mask or respirator keeps the virus away, The investigation into covids origins must continue, Your questions about covid-19, answered by Dr. Leana Wen, Lab leak report energizes Republicans covid probes, We are asking the wrong question about the origins of covid, Doctors who touted ivermectin as covid fix now pushing it for flu, RSV, First combination home test for flu and covid cleared by the FDA. Bryan Del Monte, president of the Aviation Agency, says travelers can expect a reduction in service when they start traveling again. Curious what the rest of the train looked like, I put my mask back on and ventured out into the wild, opening the doors between cars by using the trains hands-free, foot-level release button. For the foreseeable future, we will still be following coronavirus precautions and restrictions. In other words, unless I chose to, I wouldnt have to interact or share space with any other passengers on my 30-hour journey from Portland to Los Angeles. At certain stations you might also see clear plastic barriers at the customer counter. Is driving still safer than flying if youre vaccinated? again. Making Reservations for Passengers with a Disability, Meal Service for Passengers with a Disability, Mechanical Bulletins for Private Rail Cars, share your train travel experience with us. The Best Train Trips to Take Across America . Notify staff of the presence of a COVID-19 case and/or outbreak in the facility based on facility policy and procedure 6. If you start feeling sick during your shift, follow steps 1 and 2 above. One such innovation is the expansion of reserved seating on Acela trains. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. fully vaccinated people can travel again. The sudden dropping of mask regulations on public transportation comes just weeks before the current mandate was set to expire on May 3. If your trip involves travel across the US-Canadian border on a train or Thruway bus, review our border crossing information. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so. It remains to be seen how important vaccine passports will be in your day-to-day life, but we do know they will be important for travel. Ive made a habit of giving every hotel room or Airbnb Ive stayed in during the pandemic a solid wipe down for my own sanity and security. Dont laminate the original, as you may need to document future booster shots on it. For the most part, it seemed the protocols were being adhered to, but when staff seemed more lax about sanitizing and enforcing mask policy, passengers used that opportunity to be less safe themselves.. | Layovers, Road trips: Tips | Rental cars | Best snacks | Long-haul trains | Rest stops | Cross-country drive, Destinations: Hawaii | Private islands | Australia | Mexico | Alaska | Puerto Rico. Let's try a different question. Laser1987/iStock/Getty Images Plus. As a result,. If capacity exceeds comfort levels, customers can change their ticket without incurring a fee (a fare difference may apply). Amtrak is issuing travel guidelines that aim to reassure customers that several added cleanliness and convenience measures have been implemented on their trains as the country begins to reopen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. "Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so.". It depends. Do I need another booster? Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. One you have done your research and found out which test you need and when, figure out how you will be able to get it within the accepted time limit. Anyone who has a trip canceled due to the service cuts will be notified and offered alternative travel plans. I observed room attendants entering the private rooms of passengers who were not wearing masks. Please enter a password. Our timing was impeccable and lined up with the sunset. ! " @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak told a U.S. House of Representatives panel on Thursday it expects to be forced to temporarily cut some service in January because of. Don't forget to share your train travel experience with us after your trip. Passwords are case sensitive, should be at least 10 characters long and should include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. You may also want to pack refreshments for your trip, particularly if youre flying or taking a train. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your train is due to depart. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. Like theairlines, Amtrak is no longer limiting capacity and cant guarantee an empty seat next to you for social distancing. First up:facial coverings. Vaccine passports are on the way, but developing them wont be easy. Topline. Amtrak will respond to passenger requests within 72 hours. People who don't want quiet sit elsewhere. Walking through the rows of roomettes, it appeared that people were taking advantage of a loophole in the mask rule they were maskless while in their rooms as required, but their doors were wide open. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. Overall, it has reduced service by 8 percent, including on its busy Northeast Regional service (from Boston to Virginia). Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Bad weather and employee COVID-19 cases led Amtrak to reduce its trains' schedule between New Year's Eve and Jan. 6. . _ @ " $ # ,). "We've made and continue to make incredible investments so that we can come out of this pandemic as a new and improved Amtrak," the company's site reads. Amtrak is extending all elite tiers Select, Select Plus and Select Executive until February 28, 2022, a full year beyond the normal expiration. Amtrak also requires its employees to either be vaccinated or take a COVID-19 test on a weekly basis. We will send password reset instructions. There was also a metal utility sink, molded plastic wall, and an airplane-sized bathroom with a handheld shower nozzle over the toilet. While nearly 97 percent of Amtrak workers are fully vaccinated, several hundred employees including service personnel, conductors, engineers and mechanical crew members have been sidelined. Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. One unexpected highlight of my train trip was the food both tasty and filling. . I noticed that on the Empire Builder, my attendant was frequently sanitizing the car, my roomette smelled of disinfectant when I boarded, and the conductor sounded very serious about policing passengers about wearing masks., She went on to say that she never saw a room attendant without a mask on, unless they were in their own room with the door closed and even then, they rushed to put on a mask before opening the door for her. Rapid hospital readiness checklist: Interim Guidance Harmonized health service capacity assessment in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic Harmonized health service capacity assessment in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic Global Regions WHO Regional websites Africa Americas South-East Asia Europe Eastern Mediterranean Western Pacific If you are going to be traveling for long periods of time, pack food and a water bottle (that you can refill after passing through the TSA checkpoint) as a backup. . 2021 may be the Year of the Road Trip. Pre-Departure Checklist Review this handy guide and make your trip as trouble-free as possible Baggage Policy & Service Pack or ship your luggage according to our baggage guidelines and make the most of our service. terms and conditions After locking the door behind me and closing the privacy curtain, I immediately took out my tub of Clorox wipes. Add an ID tag to all your bags. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the safety card found in most seat backs. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. "I enjoyed the privacy and comfort of the Viewliner Roomette sleeper car and felt Amtrak delivered on promises for strong COVID-19 policies. Please enter a password. TripIts Moyse warns travelers that shirking local restrictions such as mask-wearing is not just a health risk, but a financial one. For passengers in private cabins, formal traditional dining with chef-prepared meals has returned to most long-distance trains. Her pieces on science, art and culture have appeared inThe Atlantic, where she was previously an editorial fellow,Californiamagazine and elsewhere. The same goes while aboard their trains. Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: + Another Flight, There are children in room 1 without an adult, You didn't specify child's age for room 1, There are children in room 2 without an adult, There are children in room 3 without an adult, There are children in room 4 without an adult, There are children in room 5 without an adult, Please select a trip duration less than 28 days, There must be at least 1 traveler (age 12+) for each infant in a lap, Exclusive Walgreens Cash rewards for members, AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia: Vacation Packages, Members save when booking a flight vacation package, AARP Identity Theft Protection powered by Norton, Up to 53% off comprehensive protection plans, AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session, Customized workouts designed around your goals and schedule, SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS. Customers can travel with extra confidence knowing all our trains are equipped with onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every 4-5 minutes. When I finally made it to the dining room the next day, after official breakfast hours were over, Sandy and Linda greeted me. The CDC director answered your questions. COVID-19, and more than 1,600 of those workers have died. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak told a U.S. House of Representatives panel on Thursday it expects to be forced to temporarily cut some service in January because of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Amtrak continues to evaluate current practices and launch new initiatives to support personal safety. AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. The change fee waiver does not apply to a previously purchased fare rebooked for the same train, date and origin/destination at a lower fare.