Where possible, alternative Thruway Motorcoach service is being provided allowing guests to continue on to their final destination. As the weather continues to change rapidly, regular conference calls are being held to monitor the status of the weather, operations and customer accommodations. At least twice daily, personnel from Amtrak West operations, all product lines, public affairs, customer relations, mechanical and engineering as well as representatives from the Union Pacific Railroad - are meeting to assess the unfolding situation. As these storms persist we will continue to monitor the weather and the effect on our routes daily. Amtrak employees are working tirelessly to re-accommodate passengers en route from other Amtrak trains and those who could not depart origin cities because of the canceled services.
Any time service is canceled the situation is difficult.
I want to thank the employees of Amtrak West for rising to this challenge. Amtrak West services have been affected in previous years due to severe weather, most recently during the El Ni o storms of 1998 and 1999. The Pacific Surfliner corridor extends 347 miles through 32 cities and six counties from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. Amtrak's Coast Starlight operates daily along the 1,389-mile route between Los Angeles and Seattle.