Amtrak Warns Of Southern California Service Disruptions As Rail Strike Looms

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego

September 15, 2022

Amtrak issued a warning that Pacific Surfliner service may be disrupted beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday if union workers do not reach a contract agreement with the nation’s railroads.

Union Pacific, BNSF and Norfolk Southern and other railroads have until a minute after midnight Eastern Time on Friday to reach deals with three holdout unions representing about 60,000 workers before a work stoppage affecting freight and Amtrak could begin.

Rail workers have gone three years without a raise amid a contract dispute, while rail companies have recorded robust profits.

The impacted sections of Amtrak’s Southern California route will be from Fullerton to Los Angeles and from Moorpark to San Luis Obispo as those portions of the track are owned or managed by freight railroads.

“We are hopeful that a resolution will be reached prior to Thursday but as the parties have not yet reached an agreement, we are doing everything we can to notify our customers and provide alternate service options if the rail service is interrupted,” said Jason Jewell, interim managing director of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency.

“We have closely coordinated with Amtrak and Metrolink to maximize service options for our customers including providing bus bridges where possible,” Jewell said.

If an agreement is not reached by Thursday, Pacific Surfliner service will be adjusted as follows.

Unreserved Coach Ticket holders impacted by the service disruption can use their existing ticket for travel on a different date up to one year later. Business Class Ticket holders can adjust their travel date or request a full refund.

Once a settlement is reached, service will resume as quickly as possible.

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