More Reliable Service Coming for Amtrak Northeast Corridor Customers

WHY IT RATES: Those traveling with Amtrak can expect a more pleasant and reliable experience with smoother rides and an improved train on-time performance.—Jessica Zickefoose, TravelPulse Associate Editor

Amtrak is investing $370 million over an estimated three-year period for new equipment that will improve the overall experience for those traveling along the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The purchase of this new equipment will double Amtrak engineering efforts on the NEC, accelerating maintenance work.

“More than 890,000 Amtrak customers and commuter passengers rely on the Northeast Corridor for transportation every weekday, and we are working to make their ride smoother and more reliable,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Scot Naparstek.

Amtrak is investing in one track laying system, two undercutters, five high-speed surfacing machines, reference surfacing, heavy lift cranes for New York Penn Station and the necessary freight cars and locomotive power to help sufficiently advance the Northeast Corridor to a state of good repair.

These upgrades will significantly improve train on-time performance and quality of our customer experience with smoother rides. Customers consistently rate schedule reliability as the primary factor in judging their satisfaction with Amtrak services.

In addition to these investments, Amtrak is also working to advance other long-term upgrades such as: buying modern train equipment, including new Acela trainsets; ongoing Concourse Management Strategy studies of New York Penn Station and; further development of stations in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Baltimore-Penn, Philadelphia 30th Street and the new Moynihan Train Hall in New York; and advancement of the critical Gateway Program.

Visit our photo gallery and video library for images of the project.