If you want to change your reservation, Amtrakis waiving all change fees for bookings made by April 30, 2022. In other words, unless I chose to, I wouldnt have to interact or share space with any other passengers on my 30-hour journey from Portland to Los Angeles. Though it was a shared space . There was also a metal utility sink, molded plastic wall, and an airplane-sized bathroom with a handheld shower nozzle over the toilet. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. www.fda.gov 1 May 21, 2020 Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments . Amtrak began selling all seats on its trains in May after limiting capacity at half for most of the pandemic. Call the COVID-19 CareLine at 1-800-720-9616. I noticed signage stating that passengers and staff must wear masks at all times unless in the privacy of their own rooms had replaced Amtrak promotional posters on the walls. COVID-19 Prevention Actions. With Increased Demand and Congressional Funding, Amtrak Restores 12 Amtrak encourages boarding with eTickets, which conductors scan from the Amtrak app. 2 . Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. While nearly 97 percent of Amtrak workers are fully vaccinated, several hundred employees including service personnel, conductors, engineers and mechanical crew members have been sidelined. Add an ID tag to all your bags. Amtrak President Stephen Gardner told a House Transportation subcommittee that roughly 95% of its 17,000 employees have been fully vaccinated ahead of a Jan. 4 deadline. Ive made a habit of giving every hotel room or Airbnb Ive stayed in during the pandemic a solid wipe down for my own sanity and security. Make sure you still have pandemic essentials. Pack your vaccine card with your passport , then check if you need an actual vaccine passport, too, 4. Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. Passengers purchasing tickets onboard trains from conductors must provide photo identification and be at least 16 years old. Passwords are case sensitive. ! " Amtraks Coast Starlight is a Superliner, a fancy term that basically means its a double-decker train which, as I would find out, is great for views, but can get a little rocky in your private room. Walking through the rows of roomettes, it appeared that people were taking advantage of a loophole in the mask rule they were maskless while in their rooms as required, but their doors were wide open. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. Private rooms, available on long-distance and overnight routes, are another option for customers hoping to keep their distance from others while onboard. Pre-Departure Checklist As you prepare for your great rail adventure, don't forget: Identification Photo ID, passport or other accepted travel documents. This means you won't have to travel this . Seating Accommodations Personal Safety | Amtrak They even had a decent selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Leave personal food items and baggage at your seat. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. May 24, 2021. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. As I approached the platform outside the sleeping car, I flashed my paperwork to a welcoming employee who managed to flash back a big smile, even with her face hidden behind a mask. For someone like me with immune issues that put them in a higher-risk category for COVID-19, having this option offered an off-load of anxiety. . Prevaccination checklist for COVID-19 vaccines - Centers for Disease Cancellation fees still apply to fares that have cancellation fees. 1. Let's try a different question. After locking the door behind me and closing the privacy curtain, I immediately took out my tub of Clorox wipes. Add Amtrak, which employs more than 20,000 people, is subject to the White House vaccine mandate that government contractors require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4, with . COVID travel: Is taking Amtrak trains safer than flying? - USA TODAY Lena H. Sun and Lori Aratani contributed to this report. Please enter a valid station, city, or address. The agency also suggests self-quarantining for seven days when you get home, even if your test is negative. Employees are also required to wear masks at all times, unless in their private rooms. Read More: I flew Delta for the first time since it stopped blocking middle seats and found cracks showing in its mask enforcement here's what it was like, Read More: I rode Amtrak up and down the Northeast Corridor during the pandemic and found it surprisingly clean, cheap, and stress-free here's what it was like, Read More: Amtrak relaunches USA Rail Pass, a ticket that lets you travel the country for 30 days for $299, Read More: New York just debuted a $1.6 billion train hall to upgrade its notorious Penn Station, complete with skylight ceilings and a premium lounge see inside, I flew Delta for the first time since it stopped blocking middle seats and found cracks showing in its mask enforcement here's what it was like, I rode Amtrak up and down the Northeast Corridor during the pandemic and found it surprisingly clean, cheap, and stress-free here's what it was like, Amtrak relaunches USA Rail Pass, a ticket that lets you travel the country for 30 days for $299, New York just debuted a $1.6 billion train hall to upgrade its notorious Penn Station, complete with skylight ceilings and a premium lounge see inside. Amtrak began selling all seats on its trains in May after limiting capacity at half for most of the pandemic. Per new CDC guidance, fully vaccinated domestic travelers (who have had their final shot for at least two weeks) do not need to get a coronavirus test before or after trips, and they do not need to self-quarantine after travel. Anyone who has a trip canceled due to the service cuts will be notified and offered alternative travel plans. By the time I reached the dining car, I was relieved to see that Sandy, the dining room attendant, was masked and wiping down tables. The policy change comes a day after Tampa's U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball. But I reminded myself that I was booked in one of Amtraks private bedrooms, a space where Id have my own sitting area, en suite bathroom with a toilet and shower, a sink, and, when I was ready to call it a night, a bed. The sudden dropping of mask regulations on public transportation comes just weeks before the current mandate was set to expire on May 3. Tickets Charge your electronic devices and get them ready to show your eTicket to the conductor or station personnel. But be warned: Travel insurance doesnt cover everything. Review the policy for unaccompanied minors. Let's try a different question. Weve been working diligently to enhance our safety protocols, including partnering with Lysol to reinforce disinfection protocols, utilizing EPA-registered cleaning products and enhancing cleaning on commonly used surfaces. Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments During the Amtrak app: The Amtrak app makes contact-free travel easy. Amtrak's ridership hit an all-time record nationwide in 2019, then skidded by about 90% in April when cases of COVID-19 began soaring. Overall, it has reduced service by 8 percent, including on its busy Northeast Regional service (from Boston to Virginia). Stations (and trains) are receiving enhanced cleaning, particularly of high-touch surfaces like door handles and countertops. But it has made it easier to determine if youll find the train crowded once youre aboard. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Amtrak Drops Its Vaccine Mandate, Avoiding Cuts to Service - The New In fact, we have a full-time medical director and public health and safety team who have been on the frontlines throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Suddenly, taking an overnight train from Portland to Los Angeles felt like an adventure. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. Traveling during COVID: Amtrak offers sleeper train roomette discount (2 minutes) Amtrak said it would suspend its Covid-19 vaccine mandate for employees, a reversal from last week's policy stance that the rail . @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. Please enter a password. As the sun set on my first day, I was ready to call it a night. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. While the science is clear that universal . Amtrak is suspending its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees and now doesn't anticipate needing to slash service next year, the transit agency announced Tuesday. CDC Notice on Facility Access. As with airlines, federal regulations require all Amtrak passengers to wear masks at all times aboard trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status and state and local laws. Don't forget to share your train travel experience with us after your trip. Passwords are case sensitive, should be at least 10 characters long and should include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. And at any given meal time, I found that only three out of five tables were ever occupied. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. For the most part, the check in procedure went fairly well, except for the fact that the train would be running a couple of hours late before it even started. Why I Took an Overnight Amtrak Instead of Flying or Driving Amtrak encourages boarding with eTickets, which conductors scan from the app. U.S. railroad Amtrak to require employee COVID-19 vaccinations Amtrak Extends Perks And Status Due To Coronavirus - Forbes Amtrak avoids service disruption with new vaccine mandate for workers When searching for travel online or on the Amtrak app, the percentage of seats sold displays next to each trip option. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your train is due to depart. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Amtrak has upgraded its technology, fleet, stations and processes to make travel as seamless and safe as possible. All trains are also equipped with onboard air filtration systems that Amtrak says offer a fresh air exchange rate every four to five minutes. Augmented onboard cleaning procedures include the use of EPA-registered disinfectant. and Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Travel Checklist & Essentials | American Express Travel Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. Blount McCormick says that for now, travel insurance is a must, as the status of the pandemic can change daily on personal, local and global levels. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. I grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and put in my order for lunch. Safety features still include mandatory mask-wearing, plexiglass partitions at ticket counters, and hand sanitizer dispensers in stations. The details come ahead of the holiday travel season, with many. This expansion also marks the first time customers can reserve a seat in the Quiet Car. Amtrak is issuing travel guidelines that aim to reassure customers that several added cleanliness and convenience measures have been implemented on their trains as the country begins to reopen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Never attempt to board or exit a moving train. It is worth noting that masks are not mandatory in the dining car when seated for meals, nor are passengers required to wear masks elsewhere while they are eating or drinking. "Try to travel in a car with . Angela Adto Tepper, chief executive and founder of AZA Luxury Travel, says travelers should consider options like cancel for any reason coverage, as well as Medjet or COVAC GLOBAL memberships, which can fly you home in case of a medical emergency. The railroad entity told. It remains to be seen how important vaccine passports will be in your day-to-day life, but we do know they will be important for travel. Due to COVID relief funding, Amtrak will sustain and restore operations and recall the more than 1,200 furloughed employees through the remainder of FY21 and into FY22. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so. Im Linda, and Ill be your cabin attendant taking care of you all the way to Los Angeles. Lindas cheerful spirit was contagious, giving me the first real feeling of excitement and adventure since my last trip, a food-filled exploration of Houston back in late February. The real problem occurred when we were boarding the train. ! " Amtrak Will No Longer Require Masks for Passengers and Employees - Travel National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/planning-booking/planning-booking-tips/riding-on-amtrak-train-for-the-first-time. Amtrak Will Require Employees to Get Vaccinated or Submit to - Travel Vaccinated travel: Here's your pre-trip checklist - Washington Post Like theairlines, Amtrak is no longer limiting capacity and cant guarantee an empty seat next to you for social distancing. Amtrak's 50th Anniversary COVID-19 Innovative Adaptations As COVID-19 has greatly impacted the transportation industry, Amtrak has had to make some innovative adaptations. This left a total of five dining tables open (all of which must be reserved for a specific time in advance). Masks covering your nose and mouth are required by Amtrak in all stations, as is keeping proper social distance from others. Something to consider when weighing the pros and cons of booking a private room they all come with free meals, including select soft drinks and your first alcoholic drink, plus you have the option of eating off the dining car menu or going with something more casual in the caf car. Heres your pre-trip checklist. The tool, however, is in the public domain and may be recreated, utilized, and adapted by the public at will. Youre in car 31 thats my car! Please enter a password. Onsite Personnel COVID-19 Checklist - UMass Amherst Amtrak's New Safety Procedures Amid Coronavirus - AARP While onboard any Amtrak train please note the following for a safer and more enjoyable trip: While in any Amtrak station please note the following for a safer more enjoyable trip: Whether onboard the train or at the station, if you see something, say something. Amtrak Restores Traditional Dining on Western Long - Amtrak Media Amtrak offers buy-one, get-one promotion on its sleeper trains amid COVID-19 with a catch. Text. Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. Amtrak scales back schedule amid spike in COVID-19 among employees