Amtrak Safety Measures Revamped Before Thanksgiving Travel

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Home for the 2020 holidays? Amtrak has aimed at pandemic and holiday readiness with a new way to track train car capacity, an Amtrak app, and new air filtration systems on board the Keystone and Pennsylvanian lines.

Amtrak Keystone Service has prepared for Thanksgiving travel during the pandemic by updating its health and safety plan. The rail travel service asks holiday travelers to book early because seats will be limited to promote social distancing.

Amtrak said this week it welcomes Thanksgiving Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian travelers onboard with new safety measures in place. Keystone Service operates between New York and Harrisburg, and the Pennsylvanian line runs between New York and Pittsburgh.

Amtrak’s partnership with experts from the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health helped for the new safety measures that require face coverings, contactless amenities, social distancing on board and in stations, and sophisticated air filtration.

Amtrak's revamped operating procedures include a capacity indicator when making reservations that will allow customers to see how crowded a train car is. A new air filtration system provide fresh air exchange very 4-5 minutes and there is an Amtrak app.

The most obvious advantage of train travel, of course is that you can avoid roadway traffic. Amtrak points out that its customers enjoy free Wi-Fi on most trains, plenty of leg room and no middle seat.

"This holiday season, customers can travel in confidence while avoiding unnecessary traffic," said Jennie Granger, PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation. "With our enhanced safety measures, we want to ensure our customers feel a renewed sense of confidence when they travel with us this holiday season."

Customers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and book early to guarantee available tickets. Bookings will be limited to allow for more physical distancing in seating areas.

Amtrak's new standard of travel includes:

• Face coverings — Amtrak requires all customers and employees wear a face mask or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose, fits snugly against the side of the face, and secures under the chin at all times while onboard and in stations unless actively eating or drinking while stationary and maintaining appropriate physical distancing. Face masks can be removed on board when customers are in their private room and the door is closed.
• Station Arrival — Except for the Auto Train, customers are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes before departure and 60 minutes if in need of ticketing and/or baggage assistance.
• Capacity indicator — When searching for travel options, customers will see a volume percentage next to each route so they can get helpful insight into which trains are less crowded. The percentage displayed is available in real-time when customers search for their train.
• Seamless gate information — To reduce crowds at departure boards, Amtrak app users can receive gate and track information via push notifications at select stations.
• Partnership with RB, the makers of Lysol® — Built on its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of travelers, Amtrak has partnered with RB, the makers of Lysol. Microbiologists from RB will help Amtrak strengthen and reinforce Amtrak's comprehensive disinfection protocols for trains, stations and Metropolitan Lounges.
• Amtrak app — Customers can book, board, check train status and access information from the convenience and safety of a mobile device. Amtrak encourages boarding with eTickets, which conductors scan from the Amtrak app.
• Private rooms — Offered on many routes, a private room is an option for customers seeking privacy and space on a short trip and added comfort and amenities when traveling overnight.
• Air quality — All Amtrak trains are equipped with onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every 4-5 minutes.
• Physical distancing — Signage has been displayed at the busiest stations to indicate safe distances in high traffic areas. In addition, protective plastic barriers have been installed at customer counters at the busiest stations.
• Limiting bookings — There are limited bookings on reserved trains to allow for more physical distancing in seating areas. Individuals traveling alone may use the seat next to them for personal belongings, while friends and family members will easily find seats together.

The Amtrak app can be used to book travel and track travel information.