Amtrak Introduces A New Era Of High-Speed Rail Between Boston And Washington, DC

All aboard the future of East Coast travel! Starting Thursday, Aug. 28, customers can travel on Amtrak’s NextGen Acela –America’s high-speed train connecting the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston.

More trains: 28 brand-new trains entering service through 2027

~More seats: 27% more seats per departure

~More service: Expanded weekday and weekend schedules

~“NextGen Acela is more than a new train—it’s an evolution of travel,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel.”

💺 What to expect

How to book your seat: Amtrak offers a simple and flexible approach to booking, seat selection, itinerary management, and even changes in the event of disruptions through the Amtrak mobile app, Amtrak website, and at station kiosks. As the official launch date approaches, customers should look for more information from Amtrak about how to locate and select the NextGen Acela train options. In the coming months, Amtrak will be operating both the current Acela equipment and the NextGen Acela trains as the new trains transition into the fleet.

~Premium onboard features: The new NextGen Acela offers an elevated experience, with features and amenities that today’s savvy travelers expect, plus everything they need to be productive along the way: free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, as well as individual power outlets and reading lights.

~More trains on the way: Five sleek new trainsets will be in service initially, with more trains joining the fleet through 2027.
🛠️ Built in America, for America

~The NextGen Acela fleet was assembled at Alstom’s facility in Hornell, NY by skilled Machinists Union workers, using components from over 180 suppliers across 29 states—creating approximately 15,000 U.S. jobs.* 🚄 Part of a bigger transformation

~NextGen Acela is a key component of Amtrak’s broader fleet modernization plan, which includes:

~New Amtrak Airo trains debuting on the Amtrak Cascades, Northeast Regional, and East Coast routes

~New, more efficient Long Distance locomotives

~Upgraded interiors in Coaches, Dining Cars, Sleepers, and Sightseer Lounges—featuring new seat cushions, upholstery, lighting, and finishes

Amtrak plans to introduce all 28 new NextGen Acela trains by 2027 — broadening travel opportunities throughout the Northeast Corridor.

Amtrak Guest Rewards Program Improvements To Debut In January 2016

Updates include more flexible earning and redemption options

 Amtrak passengers will have more options to

 earn and redeem points under an extensively improved, simplified Amtrak Guest Rewards program that

 launches in January 2016.

"This program takes Amtrak Guest Rewards to the next level with improved earnings potential and expanded,

 simplified redemptions," said Matt Hardison, Amtrak's executive vice president of marketing and sales.

 "We are confident this program combines what passengers want most – the ability to grow points

 earnings rapidly with the freedom to use those points in the way that best fits their individual travel needs."

Improvements in the updated Amtrak Guest Rewards program include:

• No more blackout dates and Acela® time-of-day travel restrictions;
• Bonus points for Acela® and Business class travel;
• Points that never expire with any qualifying account activity within 36 months;
• A simplified redemption structure for free Amtrak travel based on ticket price instead of zones
•  or routes—as low as 800 points per trip;
• Redemption opportunities for multi-ride tickets and monthly passes;
• Ability to book, modify, and cancel reward tickets themselves via Amtrak self-service channels; and
• A "cash-plus-points" option that provides more flexibility.

Amtrak Guest Rewards has also launched a helpful points estimator tool, which shows customers

 exactly how many points they will earn for their travel or how many points they will need to redeem for

 an Amtrak trip.

For more information about the revamped Amtrak Guest Rewards program and to access the points

estimator, please visit AmtrakGuestRewards.com/RideOn.