Amtrak COVID-19 Update

The safety of Amtrak’s customers and employees is top priority. Amtrak continues to monitor the coronavirus situation closely and is taking action based on guidance from public health experts; that includes restoring service to trains and routes once demand returns. In order to maintain a safe environment and address customer concerns and potential business impact, Amtrak is taking the following measures:

Photo Courtesy of Amtrak

Before You Travel

If you are planning your Amtrak trip:

• Providing a vital transportation service: We are waiving change fees on all existing or new reservations made by August 31, 2020. Simply log in to your account or go to Modify Trip on Amtrak.com, or find your reservation from your account on the home screen in the Amtrak app. A fare difference may apply to your new itinerary. If you want to cancel your reservation with no fee, you must call 800-USA-RAIL and speak with an agent (not available via Amtrak.com or the app).
• Download the Amtrak app: On the app customers are able to be notified with gate and track updates, allowing customers to wait for the train where they are most comfortable and reducing the crowd near departure boards.
• Take care of yourself and keep others safe: If you are feeling ill, please stay home until feeling better.
• Review travel advisories and restrictions: Travel advisories or restrictions may be in place for travel to your destination. Learn more about state-specific travel restrictions.

Photo Courtesy of Marty Katz/washingtonphotographer.com

Maintaining a Safe Environment

To reduce risk, we are:

• Enhancing cleaning protocols: We have increased the frequency of cleaning services on our trains and at our stations and are using a disinfectant spray to focus on highly touched surfaces like seats, tray tables and hand rails.
• Increasing disinfectant supplies: We have increased the quantity of sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for customers and employees on our trains and stations.
• Reinforcing good hygiene practices: We are regularly sharing best practices with employees and customers on ways to protect against communicable diseases.
• Requiring a face mask: We have instated a new policy requiring all customers and employees in stations and on trains and thruway buses to wear a facial covering. Customers must supply their own coverings. 
• Temporarily reducing sales: We are reducing Coach, Business, and Acela First Class sales to 50 percent of available seating. Customers are encouraged to use the seat next to them for their personal belongings. 
• Posting physical distancing posters and floor stickers: We have displayed signs at a number of staffed stations six feet apart to indicate safe distances in high customer traffic areas such as waiting rooms, in front ticket offices, at the base/top of escalators, lounge entrances, etc. In addition, clear protective barriers are being retrofitted at staffed stations where there are no current glass barriers and where they can logistically fit. 
• Reconfiguring seating layouts: We have reconfigured seating layouts in station lounges to ensure a safe distance from one another. Café cars are also being redesigned to accommodate social distancing.
• Updating food and beverage service for customers: We are limiting café service aboard Amtrak trains to carry-out only. The café will continue to offer a menu of meals, snacks and beverages for sale. Customers can bring these items back to their seats or private rooms. 
• Implementing contact-free travel: We are currently accepting cashless payments only. Additionally, Amtrak app users can receive gate and track information at select stations. eTickets are encouraged at this time.
• Upholding air quality: All Amtrak trains are equipped with onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every 4-5 minutes.

Photo Courtesy of Amtrak

Service Impacts

While Amtrak continues to operate, we have temporarily suspended some services due to reduced demand. See details on service impacts.

Here are some highlights: 

• Adirondack (New York – Montreal): No service north of Albany. 

Affecting: Schenectady, NY (SDY) Saratoga Springs, NY (SAR) Ford Edward NY (FED) Whitehall, NY (WHL) Ticonderoga, NY (FTC) Port Henry, NY (POH), Westport, NY (WSP), Port Kent NY (PRK), Plattsburgh, NY (PLB), Rouses Point, NY (RSP), Montreal, QC (MTR) Gare Centrale / Central Station St-Lambert, QC (SLQ)  

• Empire Service (New York – Niagara Falls) Reduced schedule. 
• Maple Leaf (New York – Toronto): No service west of Niagara Falls, NY.  

Affecting: Aldershot, ON (AST) Grimsby, ON (GMS) Niagara Falls, ON (NFS) Oakville, ON (OKL) St. Catharines, ON (SCA) Toronto, ON (TWO) 

• Ethan Allen Express (New York – Rutland, VT): No service north of Albany. 

Affecting: Schenectady, NY (SDY) Saratoga Springs, NY (SAR) Ford Edward NY (FED)  Castleton, VT (CNV) Rutland, VT (RUD) 

• Lake Shore Limited is operating normally. 

*We encourage customers to arrive no more than 30 minutes before departure or no more than 60 minutes if in need of ticketing and/or baggage assistance to help reduce the risk of spread. 

What You Can Do

To protect against all communicable diseases:

• Wash your hands: Wash hands frequently with soap and water – and for 20 seconds. If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.

• Cover your mouth: When sneezing or coughing, use tissues and promptly dispose of them or cover your mouth with your sleeve or elbow.

Ongoing Updates

We will continue to monitor and make changes to our procedures, policies and operations as necessary. We will continually update this page with any changes. For more information about the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.