U.S.: Amtrak considers assigned seating as pandemic dictates social distancing

By Eric Anderson, Albany Times-Union; May 29, 2020 RENSSELAER — Assigned seating could soon come to more Amtrak trains. The…

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Europe: German railway alliance formed to rescue DB

By David Briginshaw, International Railway Journal; May 26, 2020 THE German federal government, German Rail (DB), and a rail union…

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Canada: VIA Rail offering reduced service starting July 5

By Staff, Prince George Citizen; May 26, 2020 Via Rail service between Prince George, Jasper and Prince Rupert will resume…

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Worldwide: Private Rail Cars Will Soon Become The Ultimate Social Distancing Escape

By Jim Dobson, Senior Contributor, Forbes; May 29, 2020 A new resurgence of the Golden Age is on the horizon…

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U.S., Montana: Efforts to restore Amtrak route across southern Montana gain momentum

By Martin Kidston, Missoula Current; June 2, 2020 While the coronavirus pandemic prompted Missoula County to cancel a passenger rail…

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U.S., South Florida: Brightline commuter plan panned by mayor and Tri-Rail, but advances into county talks

By Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald; June 2, 2020 Tri-Rail and Miami-Dade’s mayor said it would cost the public too much…

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U.S., South Florida: Tri-Rail locked out of downtown while Brightline is shut

By Jesse Scheckner, Miami Today; May 26, 2020 Several steps remain before Tri-Rail can run on Brightline tracks to MiamiCentral…

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U.S.: Amtrak sees service cuts without an additional $1.48 billion for 2021

By Jessica Wehrman, Roll Call; May 27, 2020 Amtrak’s top executive said Acela and other Northeast Corridor routes could be…

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U.S.: Freedman Seating Introduces Passenger Protective Equipment

A press release from Freedman Seating Company; May 27, 2020: New products to help fight the spread of germs on…

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U.S., Florida: Brightline says local service will stay shut for months; Orlando route still on track

By Rob Wile, Miami Herald; May 20, 2020 Virgin Trains USA, formerly known as Brightline, announced Wednesday that it is…

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U.S., Opinion: Eight Principles for Establishing a U.S. Passenger Rail System

By F.K. Plous, High Speed Rail Alliance: May 18, 2020 If the United States is to have a modern passenger-rail…

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U.S., Florida: Virgin Trains planning $122 million of bridge work; two demolitions on Treasure Coast in May

By Joshua Solomon, Treasure Coast Newspapers, TCPalm.com; May 11, 2020 Virgin Trains USA will spend $121.5 million to repair and replace…

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U.S., So much to consider in these radically changing times – Future Air Travel: Four-Hour Process, Self Check-In, Disinfection, Immunity Passes

Editor’s Note: In these rapidly evolving time for the travel industry – which includes passenger train travel – there are…

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U.S.: I Just Flew. It Was Worse Than I Thought It Would Be.

Editor’s Note: This article in normal times would be off-topic – at least – from passenger rail travel, but in…

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U.S.: Amtrak to extend existing elite status for all elite members

By Andrew Kunesh, The Points Guy; April 30, 2020 Maintaining elite status has been on the minds of many frequent…

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Europe: Czech Railways reportedly in talks over Leo Express acquisition

By David Burroughs, International Railway Journal; April 24, 2020 CZECH Railways (ČD) is reportedly in talks regarding a potential takeover…

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UK, Scotland: ScotRail staff told not to blow whistles or check tickets

By A Glasgow Times Reporter, Glasgow Evening Times; April 29, 2020 RAIL staff have been banned from using whistles to…

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U.S., Pennsylvania: Work continues on Amtrak station, with date moved slightly later for targeted completion on West Main

By Dan Miller, Press & Journal; April 29, 2020 Work is continuing toward building the new Amtrak train station along…

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U.S.: Amtrak Donates Surplus Food to Charities During Coronavirus Pandemic

By Donald Wood, Travel Pulse; April 29, 2020 The coronavirus outbreak has forced Amtrak to reduce and temporarily suspend service…

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Europe: Operators start to resume services as Covid-19 travel restrictions ease

By David Burroughs, International Railway Journal; April 28, 2020 EUROPEAN governments are starting to ease restrictions put in place to…

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U.S.: With ridership down 95 percent and losses of $700 million, Amtrak looks to pandemic’s recovery phase

By Luz Lazo, The Washington Post; April 23, 2020 Amtrak is projecting losses of about $700 million this year, following…

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U.S.: New Amtrak CEO William Flynn on What a Post-Covid-19 Railroad Might Look Like

By Robert Klara, Adweek; April 24, 2020 Many companies allow a new CEO to take a few weeks to ease…

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U.S., Wisconsin/Illinois: Amtrak replaces Milwaukee-Chicago trains with buses

By Brad Evans, Digital Media Manager, WISN ABC 12; April 23, 2020 MILWAUKEE — Amtrak announced it will temporarily suspend…

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U.S., Maryland: Amtrak to move forward with ‘critical’ Baltimore Penn Station redevelopment despite pandemic

By Holden Wilen, Reporter, Baltimore Business Journal; April 23, 2020 Amtrak officials said Thursday they consider the redevelopment of Baltimore’s…

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U.S., California: Report details plan to greatly increase passenger trains from Modesto to Sacramento

By John Holland, The Modesto Bee; April 21, 2020 Modesto-area residents yearning for better passenger rail to Sacramento might want…

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