WHY IT RATES: Reaching a key milestone in its plans to enhance the customer experience, Amtrak has released images of the design of its upcoming premium passenger space, the Metropolitan Lounge, formerly ClubAcela.—Mia Taylor, TravelPulse Senior Writer
Renderings of the space, which will be located at Moynihan Train Hall, depicts modern layout, tech-friendly features and new amenities.
Amtrak has reached a key milestone in its plan to enhance the customer experience at its future home in the Moynihan Train Hall with the completion of planning and design for its premium passenger space, the Metropolitan Lounge, formerly ClubAcela, by releasing artist renderings of the space.
MORE Car Rental & Rail
The Metropolitan Lounge will serve Amtrak’s premium customers, providing them with added amenities and a high-quality passenger experience.
“Our customers are going to love the new, modern amenities in the Moynihan Train Hall, and we expect these renderings to continue to build their excitement for the Train Hall’s opening in 2021,” said Amtrak EVP and Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Gardner.
The expansion of Amtrak’s New York City operations to the Moynihan Train Hall will offer enhanced passenger facilities for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) and long-distance travelers, including more spacious boarding conditions, dedicated customer waiting areas with private restrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi in all customer spaces, dedicated lactation lounge for nursing mothers and a combined ticketing and baggage area.
The Metropolitan Lounge at Moynihan Train Hall will also include priority boarding, dedicated customer service agents, comfortable seating and tables with access to electrical outlets and USB ports, a dedicated family seating area, expanded food and beverage offerings, a business center and multiple conference rooms as part of the Executive Conference Center, and a 20-foot-tall balcony overlooking the Train Hall.
The Moynihan Train Hall, which partners Amtrak with the New York State Empire State Development Corporation (ESD), expands the nation’s busiest train station, New York Penn Station, into the historic James A. Farley Post Office building to relieve crowding and improve passenger comfort and security.
The Farley Post Office building sits across 8th Avenue from Penn Station and was designed by the same architecture firm, McKim, Mead, and White, as the original, iconic Penn Station. The Train Hall is expected to open to the public in early 2021. A photo album of the renderings can be found on the Amtrak Media Center.
SOURCE: Amtrak press release
