Types of Passenger Rail | States for Passenger Rail Coalition States for Passenger Rail Coalition Types of Passenger Rail Long Distance Passenger Rail Service Long-distance trains travel between many cities and/or regions of a country, and sometimes cross several countries. They often have a dining car or restaurant car to allow passengers to have a meal during the course of their journey. Trains traveling overnight may also have sleeping cars. Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak, is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a amalgam of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Amtrak employs nearly 19,000 people. It operates 305 passenger trains with daily service on 21,000 miles of track primarily owned by freight railroads connecting 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces. All of Amtrak's preferred stock is owned by the U.S. federal government. The members of its board of directors are appointed by the President of the United States and are subject to confirmation by the United States Senate.

Common stock was issued in 1971 to railroads that contributed capital and equipment but these shares convey almost no benefits. Their current holders declined a 2002 buy-out offer by Amtrak. State-Supported Intercity Passenger Rail Some states have operated intercity passenger service for over two decades. Currently, 15 states operate corridor trains representing 48 percent of Amtrak's total ridership and 25 percent of Amtrak's revenue. In 2010, state corridor trains had a 6.5 percent increase in ridership and a 12.5 percent increase in revenues. Outside the Northeast Corridor, state-supported routes are Amtrak's fastest growing rail lines. Commuter Rail Commuter Rail provides passenger service between central cities and their suburbs. Commuter rail trains typically operate only on work days and during commute hours. Most riders make trips of less than 50 miles for work, school, or errands. These trains typically run on the same railroad tracks as freight trains and often share some stations with Amtrak intercity trains. Light Rail Light Rail passenger service refers to the number of riders that the train can carry, not the weight.

Light rail trains provide passenger service within a city and its suburbs. They operate on their own tracks—they don't share tracks with commuter rail, Amtrak, or freight trains—but sometimes share right-of-way with automobiles. They also run at frequent intervals and typically run not only in commute hours but also during the day, weekends, and evenings. Monorail A monorail is railway having a single track for passenger or freight vehicles. In most cases, the rail is elevated. Monorail was developed to meet medium-demand traffic in urban transit, but represents a relatively small part of the overall railway field. Tram/Trolley Referred to as a streetcar or trolley car, it is a rail vehicle which—at least in parts of its route—runs on tracks in streets. It may also run between cities and/or towns, and/or partially grade separated even in the cities. Trams are designed for the transport of passengers and are usually lighter and shorter than conventional trains and rapid transit trains. Heritage Trains Heritage trains are operated by volunteers, often railfans, as a tourist attraction. Usually trains are formed from historic vehicles retired from national commercial operation.

AllGov - Departments more less History: Between 1920 and 1970, private passenger rail services in the United States were in an advanced state of decline. From the middle 1800s until 1920, almost all travelers in the United States went by rail. Each of the major railways was owned by a private company, and the system continued like this until 1929. Rail travel decreased sharply between 1929 and 1934, as the stock market crash and Depression curtailed available funds. To combat this, railroad companies developed new, diesel-powered streamliners such as the Pioneer Zephyr and Flying Yankee . But profits continued to dwindle until World War II when troop movements and shipping of supplies increased passenger traffic sixfold. After the war, railroads tried to rejuvenate passenger traffic and briefly enjoyed a revival. But the increased traffic was short-lived. Between 1946 and 1964, passenger numbers decreased significantly, and by the mid-1950s losses totaled $700 million. Equipment suffered and stations emptied as neighborhoods around them declined. Experts attributed these declines to several factors.

Some claimed that the industry was hobbled by government regulation and labor inflexibility, which occurred just as airline and private automobile travel were expanding. By the time the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) approved the mergers of several existing railroads in the 1960s, the federal government had disinvested in Amtrak, and years of deteriorating equipment and station facilities had taken their toll. These mergers were unsuccessful. Railroads also carried a substantial tax burden (15% on passenger rail travel). Local governments charged additional property taxes on land owned by railroads, which also had to deal with antiquated work rules and unyielding trade unions. Meanwhile, the widening highway system (subsidized by the federal government) and ease of obtaining post-war automobile loans drew greater numbers to the roads. In the 1960s, several major railroads declared bankruptcy. The Pullman Company became insolvent in 1969. In 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the Rail Passenger Service Act, which was sponsored by the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP). The bill sought funds to ensure the continuation of train service in the United States.

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (NRPC) was originally a public-private entity that received taxpayer funding and assumed operation of intercity passenger trains. It was originally called Railpax, but before it began operations, the name was changed to Amtrak. The law provided as follows: Any intercity passenger service currently operating could contract with the NRPC and join the national system. These railroads bought into the national system based on recent losses. The purchase price could be satisfied with cash or rolling stock. In exchange, the railroads received NRPC common stock. Participating railroads were freed of the obligation to operate intercity passenger service after May 1, 1971. Some chosen by the Department of Transportation maintained basic systems of service that were paid for by NRPC with federal funds. Any railroads choosing not to join the NRPC system were required to continue their existing passenger service until 1975 and then had to pursue the regular ICC approval process for any discontinuance or alteration of the service. President Nixon and his administration considered this an experiment that was likely to fail and wanted to give railroad travel one last chance. They expected public support to wane, and that Amtrak would quickly support itself, but neither proved true.

Amtrak began operations in May 1971, and 20 out of 26 existing railroads joined the national system. After they switched over, Amtrak continued service on 182 of 364 trains previously in service. Amtrak inherited problems with the existing train stations. Maintenance had been shoddy, and in several cases, facilities were redundant. Merging trains, services, and train stations made train travel more efficient, and soon Amtrak had the opportunity to acquire additional railways. As several northeastern railroads went bankrupt in the early 1970s, Congress passed the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 . This law created Conrail, and also enabled the Northeast Corridor Railway to be transferred to Amtrak. This was a crowded route and generated much revenue for Amtrak. But the route’s costs were also higher. Federal subsidies increased substantially, but Amtrak fell far short of financial independence in its first decade, as ridership increased. Fuel shortages in the 1970s increased costs for automobile and airline travel, which helped drive even more customers to Amtrak. Political battles over funding followed over the next decades.

The federal government, as Amtrak’s only investor, demanded greater accountability and trimmed budgets. By 1997, Amtrak faced a serious cash crisis. As part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (pdf), Amtrak received a $2.3 billion tax refund that temporarily resolved the cash crisis. George Warrington, the next leader of Amtrak, ran into trouble with Congress when his lavish spending and extensive borrowing resulted in him trying to mortgage Penn Station in New York. After this elicited a firestorm of controversy, Warrington was forced to step down. This set in motion a series of political maneuverings with Congress that culminated in Amtrak having two managers over the next three years (David Gunn and Alexander Kummant, both former agency president & CEO). Ridership increased again in the 2000s after capital improvements were made to the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak set ridership records in seven of the last eight fiscal years. During FY 2010, Amtrak reported more than 28.7 million passengers, which was its highest total to date, and it predicted 30 million riders for 2011.

Although the federal government has invested a total of $36 billion in Amtrak during the 40 years that it has been in operation, recent years of under-funding have caught up with the agency. Congress issued increased funding and instituted a new path to financial self-sufficiency, but these plans failed. Amtrak’s express freight delivery caused problems with competing freight operators and the trucking industry. As a result, Amtrak was not able to add enough revenue, or cut enough expenses, to break even. Although it was clear that Amtrak was unlikely to achieve financial self-sufficiency, Congress again approved funding in 2002 and released Amtrak from its requirement to become financially independent. As of 2011, while still operating at a loss, Amtrak succeeded in covering 85% of its operating costs with ticket sales and other miscellaneous revenue, with the balance paid for by the federal government. That year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $1.3 billion in funding. In May 2011, President Barack Obama proposed placing Amtrak under federal agency budget—so that it receives funding under the Federal Railroad Administration—rather than continuing to depend on direct Congressional appropriations.

Many Republicans are opposed to federal government financing of the agency, with House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Florida) calling Amtrak a “Soviet-style operation.” more less What it Does: The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is responsible for operation and maintenance of a national rail network. The agency serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states on 21,000 miles of routes. Amtrak employs nearly 19,000 people and welcomed more than 28.7 million passengers in 2010. The Boston-New York-Washington portion of the Northeast Corridor is Amtrak’s busiest with more than 10 million riders in 2010.

The next three routes also had ridership over a million each: Pacific Surfliner Service (San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo) 2,613,604 Capitol Corridor Service (San Jose-Oakland-Sacramento-Auburn) 1,580,619 Keystone Corridor Service (Harrisburg-Philadelphia-New York City) 1,296,838 Amtrak owns 1,518 Amfleet, Superliner, Viewliner and other railroad passenger cars, 459 locomotives, 80 Auto Train vehicle carriers and 101 baggage cars. State-owned equipment includes 140 railroad passenger cars and 22 locomotives.

Amtrak also owns property, including 363 miles of the 456-mile Northeast Corridor connecting Washington, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, as well as three heavy maintenance facilities in Wilmington and Bear, Delaware, and Beech Grove, Indiana, and other maintenance facilities in Washington D.C., New York City, Rensselaer and Niagara Falls, New York, Boston, Hialeah, Florida, Chicago, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Seattle. Approximately 70% of Amtrak travel is done on track owned by other railroads. Amtrak pays these host railroads for use of their track (more than $136.9 million in 2010) and other resources required to operate Amtrak trains. Host railroads also receive incentives for on-time dispatching. more less Where Does the Money Go: As a federally funded corporation, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) expenditures go toward costs associated with the operation of its passenger train system, and fall into one of three large categories: operating costs, capital, and debt service. Eighty-five percent of Amtrak’s operating costs are paid for with ticket sales and other miscellaneous revenue; the balance is paid for by the federal government.

The agency’s FY 2013 budget proposal includes $450 million for operations to support the national network of corridor, state-supported and long-distance trains; $1.435 billion for national capital and infrastructure projects; $212 million for debt service; and $60 million for Northeast Corridor (NEC) development projects, the Gateway Project (total project cost is $13.5 billion, which is for the building of two new tunnels into Manhattan and expanding New York Penn Station capacity), and the high-capacity 220 mph high-speed rail system from Washington D.C. to Boston. Amtrak’s FY 2012 budget proposal included $1.285 billion for capital investments to improve infrastructure and existing lines, including in the NEC; $616 million to operate more than 300 daily trains nationwide, and $271 million for debt service. Also included was a request for funds to purchase 40 Acela Express coach cars to add capacity to the high-speed rail line from Washington to Boston, which would be ready to roll in 2014. There was an additional $50-million request to begin preliminary work on the Gateway Project.

In its Grant and Legislative Request, Amtrak reported that it had $5 billion in deferred maintenance costs, including 140-year-old tunnels in Baltimore, and 224 bridges that have exceeded their designed lifespan. In the past, Amtrak has purchased some of its passenger cars from Talgo , a Spanish manufacturer of railway cars. When it set out to create a billion-dollar, high-speed service for cities in the northeast, Amtrak turned to a joint project involving Bombardier (75%), a Canadian conglomerate and largest maker of passenger cars in the world, and Alstom (25%), a French multinational conglomerate. Controversies: Senator Proposes No-ride List Following bin Laden Revelation Concerned over al Qaeda’s terrorist plans involving trains, a Democratic U.S. senator proposed in 2011 that the government create a “no ride” list for Amtrak, similar to what airlines use to prevent suspected individuals from flying on commercial jets. Senator Charles Schumer of New York suggested the idea after it was learned al Qaeda was considering an attack on American trains. Amtrak officials said they were open to using a no-ride list to screen passengers.

But, they added, the Transportation Security Administration would have to be involved, and the process would have to be “implemented in a way that respects civil rights and allows for the rapid flow of persons and trains, necessary for effective mass transit.” Debate: Allow Guns on Amtrak Trains? The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) in late 2010 lifted its ban on passengers bringing unloaded guns aboard trains, after congressional Republicans pushed for the change. The restriction was first put into place after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Under the new policy, riders can check firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns, and up to 11 pounds of ammunition at any train station that offers checked baggage. Passengers are required to notify Amtrak at least 24 hours before their departure, and the gun must be stored unloaded in a locked, hard-sided container. Pro Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) pushed to allow guns on Amtrak, calling the prohibition an “overreaction” to the 9/11 attacks. Wicker and the National Rifle Association argued the rule was not based on any facts, and that sportsmen, hunters and gun owners were treated unfairly by it.

They also said it made no sense to ban guns from trains when airlines allow their passengers to check unloaded weapons before boarding. Con Gun control advocates opposed the lifting of the restriction. They objected to the argument that just because airlines allow checked guns, so too should Amtrak. “A baggage car is not like an airplane cargo hold,” Daniel Vice, senior attorney at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, told USA Today. “Baggage cars are not as secured,” making it possible for a passenger to gain access to their gun while in transit. Vice and others noted that Amtrak does not screen all its passengers before they board trains. Amtrak National Facts | Amtrak Amtrak National Facts The name "Amtrak" results from the blending of the words "America" and "track." It is properly used in documents with only the first letter capitalized. The railroad is officially known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Basic Amtrak Facts The Amtrak mission is to deliver intercity transportation with superior safety, customer service and financial excellence. To accomplish this mission, Amtrak has identified three overarching strategic themes: Safety and Security, Customer Focus and Financial Excellence.

During FY 2015 (October 2014 - September 2015), Amtrak welcomed aboard more than 30.8 million passengers, representing the fifth straight year in which ridership has exceeded 30 million. On an average day, more than 84,600 passengers ride more than 300 Amtrak trains. Amtrak operates a nationwide rail network, serving more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces on more than 21,300 miles of routes. It is the nation's only high-speed intercity passenger rail provider, operating at a top speed of 150 mph (241 kph) over current infrastructure. More than half of Amtrak trains operate at top speeds of 100 mph (160 kph) or greater. The company has more than 20,000 employees. An average 600 daily Thruway schedules with guaranteed connections via buses, vans, ferries and other modes extend Amtrak service to more than 400 communities not served directly by Amtrak trains in 38 states and three Canadian provinces.

In FY 2015, Amtrak earned approximately $3.2 billion in revenue and incurred approximately $4.3 billion in expense*. No country in the world operates a passenger rail system without some form of public support for capital costs and/or operating expenses. *Unaudited FY 2015 figures; to be finalized in summer 2016. Amtrak's unaudited adjusted FY 2015 operating loss was $306.5 million. Amtrak covered 91 percent of operating costs in FY 2015 with ticket sales and other revenue. In December 2015, for the first time in transportation legislative history, intercity passenger rail and Amtrak reauthorization language was included as part of the federal surface transportation bill. When included among U.S. airlines, Amtrak ranks No. 6 in domestic passengers carried. In the Northeast Corridor (NEC), Amtrak now has a very strong position in many markets that were previously dominated by air carriers. Amtrak carried more than three times as many riders between Washington, DC, and New York City as the airline industry. Amtrak carried more riders between New York City and Boston than all of the airlines combined.

The 25 busiest stations in 2015 were (Ridership equals boardings plus alightings): Station Amtrak-owned property outside the NEC spine (Washington - Boston) includes: Springfield Line: A 60.5-mile track segment from New Haven, CT, to Springfield, MA. Keystone Corridor: The 104.2 miles of up to 110 mph (177 kph) track in Pennsylvania between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Michigan Line: A 95.6-mile segment of up to 110 mph (177 kph) track from Porter, IN, to Kalamazoo, MI. Amtrak owns 18 tunnels (consisting of 24 miles of track) and 1,414 bridges. Amtrak owns three heavy maintenance facilities in Wilmington and Bear, DE, and Beech Grove, IN, as well as other maintenance facilities in Washington, DC; New York City and Rensselaer, NY; Boston; Hialeah, FL; Chicago; New Orleans; Los Angeles and Oakland; and Seattle.

Amtrak is the only railroad in North America to maintain right-of-way for service at speeds in excess of 125 mph (201 kph), and its engineering forces maintain more than 350 route-miles of track for 100+ mph (160+ kph) service. In December 2012, Amtrak and CSX Transportation reached an agreement for Amtrak to operate, maintain and dispatch approximately 94 miles of the New York City to Niagara Falls Empire Corridor in New York between Poughkeepsie and Hoffmans (near Schenectady). Seventy-two percent of the miles traveled by Amtrak trains are on tracks owned by other railroads. Known as "host railroads," they range from large publicly traded companies based in the U.S. or Canada, tostate and local government agencies and small businesses. Amtrak pays these host railroads for use of their track and other resources needed to operate Amtrak trains, with incentives for on-time performance.

The six largest host railroads for Amtrak trains are: BNSF Railway, 6.8 million train miles Union Pacific Railroad, 6.1 million train miles CSX Transportation, 5.1 million train miles Norfolk Southern Railway, 2.3 million train miles Canadian National Railway, 1.4 million train miles Metro North Railroad, 1.3 million train miles The company's growth over the past ten years, especially on intercity corridors between 100 - 500 miles, hints at the tremendous opportunity of developing a robust, nationwide passenger rail system focused on city pairs. In 2015, Amtrak received ISO 9001 certification and earned several industry awards for its business transformation that has reduced costs, restructured performance management and differentiated pay, strengthened career growth and development opportunities, implemented best-in-class recruitment and retention strategies, and created a Total Rewards compensation and benefits structure.

Amtrak was recognized for workplace excellence by earning a spot in Forbes magazine's first-ever "America's Best Employers 2015." Northeast Corridor Services The Amtrak Northeast Corridor (NEC) is the busiest railroad in North America, with approximately 2,200 Amtrak, commuter and freight trains operating over some portion of the Washington-Boston route each day. 17.6 million trips were made by Amtrak passengers on the NEC in FY 2015. This included all Amtrak trains that traveled over some portion of the NEC spine (Washington - New York - Boston) and connecting corridors to Harrisburg, PA, Springfield, MA, Albany, NY and Richmond, VA. In FY 2015, Amtrak carried 11.7 million passengers on Acela Express and Northeast Regional service trains on the NEC spine (Washington - New York - Boston) — the best year ever. Approximately 750,000 Amtrak and commuter passenger rail trips are taken on the NEC every day.

The Acela Express is the fastest train in the Western Hemisphere, with a normal maximum speed of 150 mph (241 kph) on two sections of its route between Boston and New Haven, CT, (35 total miles). Its top speed is 135 mph (217 kph) between New York, NY, and Washington, DC. Acela trains carried more than 3.4 million passengers and generated nearly $585 million in ticket revenue in FY 2015. The name Acela comes from a combination of the words "acceleration" and "excellence." Acela Express is the company's premium service. More than 38.7 million passengers have traveled on the fleet of 20 Acela Express trains since revenue service began on December 11, 2000. Amtrak owns 363 miles of the 457-mile Northeast Corridor connecting Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Trains regularly reach speeds of 125-150 mph (201-241 kph).

Two sections of the NEC are owned by others: The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (10 miles) and Connecticut Department of Transportation (46 miles) own 56 miles on Metro North Railroad between New Rochelle, NY, and New Haven, CT; The state of Massachusetts owns 38 miles between the Massachusetts/Rhode Island border and Boston that is operated and maintained by Amtrak. State-Supported Services Amtrak receives funding from 18 states and other entities under 19 operating agreements for financial support of 26 short-distance routes (less than 750 miles). Section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) required Amtrak and its state partners to jointly develop a cost-sharing methodology to equitably charge states for state-supported intercity passenger rail service. The PRIIA 209 methodology became effective in October 2013. Continued operation of these state-supported routes is subject to annual operating agreements and state legislative appropriations according to Section 209. Fueled by Amtrak's valued partnership with its state partners, state-supported routes carried nearly 14.7 million passengers in FY 2015.

States that provide funding and the routes on which some or all service was state-supported during FY 2015: California: Capitol Corridor service (San Jose - Auburn), managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority; Pacific Surfliner service (San Luis Obispo - San Diego), managed by the LOSSAN Joint Powers Authority; and San Joaquins service (Bakersfield - Sacramento/Oakland), managed by the San Joaquins Joint Powers Authority. Plus an extensive system of connecting Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach routes. Connecticut: Springfield Shuttles and through trains (with Massachusetts) (Springfield - New Haven) and Vermonter (with Massachusetts and Vermont) (St. Albans - New Haven) Illinois: Hiawatha Service (with Wisconsin)(Chicago - Milwaukee), Lincoln Service (Chicago - St.

Louis), Illini & Saluki (Chicago - Carbondale) and Illinois Zephyr & Carl Sandburg (Chicago - Quincy) Indiana: Hoosier State (Chicago - Indianapolis) Maine (Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority): Downeaster service (Brunswick - Portland - Boston) Massachusetts: Springfield Shuttles and Through Trains (with Connecticut) (Springfield - New Haven) and Vermonter (with Connecticut and Vermont) (St. Albans - New Haven) Michigan: Wolverine Service (Pontiac/Detroit - Chicago), Blue Water (Port Huron - East Lansing - Chicago) and Pere Marquette (Grand Rapids - Chicago) Missouri: Missouri River Runner (Kansas City - St.

Louis) New York: Empire Service (New York - Albany - Buffalo/Niagara Falls), Maple Leaf (New York - Niagara Falls - Toronto), Adirondack (New York - Montreal), Ethan Allen Express (with Vermont) (New York - Rutland) North Carolina: Carolinian (Charlotte - Washington) and Piedmont service (Raleigh - Charlotte) Oklahoma: Heartland Flyer (with Texas) (Oklahoma City - Fort Worth) Oregon: Amtrak Cascades service (with Washington) (Eugene - Portland - Seattle - Vancouver, BC) Pennsylvania: Keystone Service (Harrisburg - Philadelphia) and Pennsylvanian (Philadelphia - Pittsburgh) Texas: Heartland Flyer (with Oklahoma) (Fort Worth - Oklahoma City) Vermont: Ethan Allen Express (with New York) (Rutland - Albany) and Vermonter (with Connecticut and Massachusetts) (St.

Albans - New Haven) Virginia: Northeast Regional service from Washington to Lynchburg, Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk Washington: Amtrak Cascades service (with Oregon) (Vancouver, BC - Seattle - Portland - Eugene) Wisconsin: Hiawatha Service (with Illinois) (Milwaukee - Chicago) Five state-supported corridors had ridership that topped one million or more in FY 2015: Pacific Surfliner service (San Diego - Los Angeles - San Luis Obispo): 2,827,134 Empire Service (New York - Albany - Niagara Falls - Toronto): 1,556,521 Capitol Corridor service (San Jose - Oakland - Sacramento - Auburn): 1,474,873 Keystone Corridor service (Harrisburg - Philadelphia - New York City): 1,359,615 San Joaquins service (Oakland/Sacramento - Bakersfield): 1,177,073 Four other state-supported corridors had ridership in excess of a half-million passengers in FY 2015: Hiawatha Service (Chicago - Milwaukee): 799,271 Amtrak Cascades service (

Eugene - Portland - Seattle - Vancouver, BC): 751,148 Lincoln Service (Chicago - St.

Louis): 576,705 Amtrak-operated state-owned equipment includes 110 railroad passenger cars, 23 locomotives and five Cascades Service trainsets. In December 2012, 135 miles of right-of-way between Kalamazoo and Dearborn was purchased by the state of Michigan. It is operated and maintained (and in the future will be dispatched) by Amtrak, and is being improved for the state of Michigan as an integral part of our Michigan District (which also includes the Amtrak-owned 95.6-mile segment of up to 110 mph (177 kph) track from Porter, IN, to Kalamazoo). Much of this state-owned track will be upgraded for service at speeds of up to 110 mph. Amtrak and the states of Michigan and Illinois are partners to reduce travel times by increasing maximum train speeds up to 110 mph wherever possible on the Chicago - Detroit and Chicago - St. Louis corridors. Currently, Amtrak trains are cruising at speeds up to 110 mph on 80.3 miles in Michigan and Indiana on the Chicago - Detroit corridor.

As additional track and signal work is completed, more segments on both corridors will experience speed increases, which will be phased in during late 2016 and early 2017. This will ultimately result in trip time reductions of nearly an hour on both corridors. Long-Distance Services Amtrak operates 15 long-distance trains on a national network of routes ranging in length from 764 to 2,438 miles. These trains provide service at nearly half of the stations in the Amtrak system and are the only Amtrak trains in 23 of the 46 states in the network. In FY 2015, all long-distance routes combined carried 4.5 million passengers. Amtrak is the only intercity passenger transportation service in an increasing number of communities as intercity bus and airline operators abandon small and mid-sized cities. Contract Commuter Service Amtrak is one of the largest operators of contract commuter services in North America; currently, Amtrak provides either services and/or access for 13 commuter agencies.

Amtrak currently operates commuter service for the following state and regional authorities: MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) Shore Line East (Connecticut) Amtrak provides services of various types for three other agencies: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA): Maintenance-of-way and dispatching Sound Transit (Seattle): Maintenance-of-equipment South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (Tri-Rail): Dispatching Amtrak provides access (and in some cases, other services) for seven other agencies: Long Island Railroad Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Delaware Department of Transportation (DELDOT) (operated by SEPTA) Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) (operated by MBTA) Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Metra (Chicago area) Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia make payments to Amtrak through transit agencies or state transportation departments for use of Amtrak-owned NEC facilities by commuter trains. These agencies or states also provide other funding on the NEC, including capital funds for infrastructure and/or stations. Amtrak has agreements for access and/or maintenance where Amtrak trains operate over locally-owned portions of the NEC in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.

Amtrak Trains and Equipment Amtrak-owned, active equipment includes 20 Acela Express high-speed trainsets, two Cascades Service trainsets, 1,367 passenger cars including Amfleet, Superliner, Viewliner and other types, 403 locomotives, 80 Auto Train vehicle carriers and 68 baggage cars. Amtrak continues to receive new Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS-64) electric locomotives and new national network, single level cars that are part of a 130 car order. In 2016, Amtrak will announce a contract to acquire the most technologically advanced high-speed trainsets ever to operate in North America for the next generation of Acela Express service. There will be 40 percent more trainsets and each will have 40 percent more seats than those currently in use. The Auto Train, which travels between Lorton, VA (south of Washington, DC), and Sanford, FL (near Orlando), is the longest passenger train in the world, with two engines and 40-plus passenger rail cars and vehicle carriers. Since the beginning, even-numbered trains have traveled north and east. Odd-numbered trains travel south and west.

Among the exceptions are Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains, which use the opposite numbering system inherited from the Santa Fe Railway, some Empire Service trains and the Downeaster trains between Brunswick, ME, and Boston. Positive Train Control Amtrak is a leader in the installation of Positive Train Control (PTC), a safety technology designed to match train speed to track conditions for improved safety. PTC provides an added layer of safety on top of the cab signal and Automatic Train Control safety systems already in place. In December 2015, Amtrak activated PTC on track between New York and Washington, DC, completing installation on most Amtrak-owned infrastructure on the NEC spine. PTC has been installed between Boston and New Haven since 2000. The only exceptions are seven miles, all of which are located in or adjacent to terminal areas where trains move slower and Automatic Train Control systems are in service. Amtrak is scheduled to activate PTC on the 104.2-mile Keystone Corridor (Philadelphia - Harrisburg) in February 2016.

Since 2002, PTC has been installed and operating along the 95.6 miles of track Amtrak owns in Michigan and Indiana (Porter, IN - Kalamazoo, MI). Amtrak is also working on installation of PTC on other lines, including the 60.5-mile Springfield line (New Haven, CT - Springfield, MA); the leased, 94-mile Hudson line (Poughkeepsie, NY - Hoffmans, NY (near Schenectady)); the 135-mile segment of track owned by the state of Michigan between Dearborn and Kalamazoo; and the Chicago Union Station terminal areas. Most of the national network that Amtrak operates over is owned by other railroads commonly referred to as "host railroads." Host railroads are responsible for PTC installation on their infrastructure. Amtrak has installed PTC on its locomotives that operate over host railroads. Passenger Amenities Following the expansion of complimentary AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi to the Cardinal, Crescent, Lake Shore Limited and Silver Service trains in early 2016, trains carrying 91 percent of all Amtrak passengers will offer Wi-Fi connections.

Amtrak is still working to provide Wi-Fi service to the remainder of the national network routes. In collaboration with passengers and cycling advocates, Amtrak has increased the number of trains that offer walk-up/walk-on bike service to also include the Capitol Limited, Carolinian, Heartland Flyer, Crescent and Silver Service trains. Get more details and the latest information about our Bikes-on-Trains program . Amtrak now offers passengers on Northeast Regional trains, as well as national network and select state-supported trains, the convenience of carrying small cats or dogs onboard. Get more details and the latest information about our Pets-on-Trains program . Amtrak is also available on the web , and for more information, the public can visit us on Facebook , Twitter , Google+ , Pinterest , the official Amtrak blog , and the Northeast Corridor , Amtrak History , Great American Stations sites. Historical Background on Amtrak Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 to take over the passenger rail services previously required to be operated by private railroad companies in the United States. Those companies showed they had operated these services at a net loss of millions of dollars for many years. Operations began on May 1, 1971.

April 1, 1976, Amtrak acquired its Northeast Corridor property through the Conrail consolidation process. Amtrak is a federally-chartered corporation, with the Federal government as majority stockholder. The Board is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and Amtrak is operated as a for-profit company, rather than a public authority. CONNECT WITH US Travel information & maps of Widener University in Philadelphia Arriving by air NEAREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is located near the University and Philadelphia Downtown - 12 minutes from Widener University. Philadelphia International is a major hub airport for the East Coast of the United States. PHL ranks as the 12th busiest airport in the world in terms of air traffic, and offers excellent air links to all large cities across America. TRANSFER TO CAMPUS A transfer on arrival in the US can be booked for $140. This means a private car will pick you up at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and take you to your accommodation. Getting to Philadelphia and around the local area The nearest big city to the University is Philadelphia - 24.7km by road from campus.

The City of Chester has a number of public transportation options to get to Center City, Philadelphia. FREE SHUTTLE BUS A University shuttle bus circulates around the campus 4 times an hour (6pm-1am on weekdays, until 2am on weekends). The route is FREE to students, takes 15 minutes and has 10 stops, including one outside the International Study Center . An off-campus student shuttle bus runs to nearby locations: Wawa convenience store The off-campus bus hours are 6pm-1am weekdays, and 12 noon-1am weekends. BY TRAIN Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) serves Philadelphia and nearby cities, including Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery. The nearest train station is in downtown Chester, 1 mile from the University campus. The Wilmington/Newark Line gets you to downtown Philadelphia in 35 minutes. The train station is an easy walk from campus, and the University also offers a free shuttle to the local train station (see above). BY BUS The nearest bus Station is Chester Transportation Center, only 5 minutes from the University by foot.

Two SEPTA bus routes - Route 109 and Route 37 - connect to the region-wide mass transit network, going into Philadelphia as well as all other nearby cities. BY ROAD From Widener University, there is direct access to regional and national road networks - Interstate-95, Interstate-476, Interstate-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike - provide easy access into the city of Philadelphia. Widener campus map Download the Widener University campus map , showing important places on campus for International Study Center students. Google map showing points of interest BY AIR Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is 10.4km along highway I-95N - 12 minutes away from Widener University by car. Bus lines 37 and 113 make regular stops at the airport. The travel time from campus is under 1 hour. Being among the busiest airports in the country, PHL offers several flights to all travel destinations with America. See the side bar for approximate flight times to US cities. BY BUS Several express bus services can take you to popular east coast cities from Center City Philadelphia.

Aside from the nationally known Greyhound bus service, many private operators offer competitive fares to New York, Washington DC and Boston. BY TRAIN Amtrak is a government-owned corporation that provides intercity passenger train services in the USA. The nearest Amtrak station is 30th Street Station, in Philadelphia Downtown. The Northeast Train Routes link all major cities in the West Coast. BY ROAD The Interstate Highway System is a network of high speed roads (also called freeways or expressways) serving nearly all major US cities. Many of the east coast highways are toll roads, however tolls are not very high and driving across American roads offers the flexibility of timings and ease of transportation. See the side bar for approximate driving times to major US cities. amtrak Here is search logs of 650,000 AOL users. It's very interesting to view search history of particular person and analyze his personality. Let's do it together! Read more about AOL search database scandal or view research papers on web searching .

amtrak The National Railroa Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak (AAR reporting marks AMTK and AMTZ), is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "American" and "track". Trivia about amtrak On May 1, 1996 this national railway passenger service celebrated its 25th anniversary This semipublic corporation that operates intercity U.S. passenger trains was created by Congress in 1970 Derived from words "American", "travel", & "track", it provides most U.S. passenger rail service S. Dak., Alaska, Wyo. &, obviously, Hawaii are the only 4 states not on this natl.

train co.'s passenger route map The corporation whose logo is seen here was created in 1971:(AKA the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) Its lines include the Sunset Limited & the California Zephyr No cell phone use is permitted on "quiet cars", begun in 2000 on this service's Philly-Washington run Created in 1971 as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, it's better known by this name This service's superliner car or coach has turn-down service in its fold-down upper berths This corp. is the engine behind the first National Train Day, May 10, 2008, remembering the golden spike of May 10, 1869 Found pages about amtrak Tweets about amtrak RT @KGWNews: Semi crossing tracks hit by train in Marion County RT @Amtrak: RT if you take the library-like atmosphere of the Quiet Car very, very seriously. #quietcar4life #Amtrak RT @fox12oregon: Amtrak train smashes semi at intersection near Turner.

More pics: #TweetMyJobs #BusinessMgmt #Job alert: Police Officer - 90171330 | Amtrak | #BeechGrove, IN #Jobs Ugh @amtrak’s site shows my train as cancelled, but their CSR says it’s on time. Talk about mixed messages :/ Amtrak train smashes semi at intersection near Turner. More pics: 😩 It's Cold Asf On This Amtrak Train Semi crossing tracks hit by train in Marion County Train, semi collide in Marion County via @KGWNews at the Salinas Amtrak station * Amtrak slams semi-truck at Marion County crossing: SALEM, Ore. (KOIN 6) — A northbound Amtrak train hit a semi... @Amtrak_CA Congratulations on writing a great California Government Tweet: (Ranked 45th for Aug 24.) RT if you take the library-like atmosphere of the Quiet Car very, very seriously. #quietcar4life #Amtrak Earthquake Update: Amtrak California Service Restored Following Bay Area Earthquake I was a big fan of train travel until just this moment, when I read the word "traincation." Hey @Amtrak my knee is screwed up.

Want to hook me up with a sleeper car on this train I'm on? Whether it's a traincation, a commute or a weekend getaway, make sure to tag your pics #Amtrak. #ShowUsYourJourney Reason crave amtrak kettles?: ZJmCV RT @TonyBizjak: Amtrak spokeswoman: Service is temporarily suspended between Roseville and San Jose while tracks and bridges undergo inspec… Jerry Brown declares state of emergency after 6.0 earthquake. Amtrak suspends service to San Jose Q-tip of the day: If you want to get somewhere in time, DO NOT take the amtrak.. Taking a train to NYC - the train is new, but the tracks and #infrastructure look ancient. I know @Amtrak is #investing but is it enough? @KTVU any word from the@Athletics about tonight's game? And Bart or Amtrak to the stadium? @Amtrak I guess doesn't work on weekends. How can you run your trains but not have anyone working? No wonder nothing gets done. Unsatisfied i hope that @Amtrak service gets restored between sacramento and san jose before 1 pm for the @49ers game!

I don't think Mia to fond of the Amtrak or maybe the candy just got her hyper The N.Y.C. 2600 Railroad Club would like to say how much it likes @Amtrak 's new electric engines. Very nice. RT @sal_castaneda: #AMTRAK Capitol Corridor train service between Roseville and San Jose until further notice. #AMTRAK Capitol Corridor train service between Roseville and San Jose until further notice. Amtrak jumpin like Jordan. Amtrak #BusinessMgmt #Job: SAP HRIS Data Analyst - 90171879 (#Wilmington, DE) #Jobs #TweetMyJobs @alevin I want to do this for each Amtrak route. It's a very simple marketing idea. :) #kktrip Photo of @Amtrak #660 at Princeton Junction using bridge plates. Still left on time. Traffic Alert: We have been advised by Amtrak that the railroad crossing at 4th St. just north of Stadium Dr. and... Amtrak spokeswoman: Service is temporarily suspended between Roseville and San Jose while tracks and bridges undergo inspection.

#earthquake Beverly HillBillys behind me on this Amtrak for real tho FML hey #BNSF #METRA and #Amtrak I think you need to do some track work in Berwyn Il and @Amtrak: don't plan to take trains to/from bay today. Call 800-872-7245 for updates; train status on website still reports nothing. #Regional: Update: Amtrak Cancels Capital Corridor Train Service Breakfast of "Champagne- ions" @ Amtrak Train 785 SW At the Davis @Amtrak station, they say they currently have no estimate about when the tracks will be open again. RT @craigary: @amtrak @Amtrak_CA fyi re quake delays, roads and bridges open. Track updates? @TonyBizjak all Amtrak service in NorCal right now is suspended. @amtrak @Amtrak_CA fyi re quake delays, roads and bridges open. Track updates? #Amtrak closed today due to earthquake. Seeking other transportation to 49ers game. @Amtrak dreading my ride with you all today. I feel like telling a conductor won't do ANYTHING. They won't consider it.

It's TOO aboard! All @Amtrak trains to/from Bay stopped due to earthquake. Amtrak website/phone lines not updated; can't reach a live person. Not helpful. Standards and Compliance Officer - 90127807 - Amtrak: (#Miami, FL) #Accounting #Job #Jobs #TweetMyJobs

Question: What is the name of the government-owned corporation that provides the intercity passenger train service in the USA?
Answer: Amtrak