A growing wave of travel companies is making a stronger push for vaccinations. again. Congressman Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, introduced a new piece of legislation on Thursday that if passed would require proof of COVID-19 vaccine . Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. After a dramatic drop in ridership during the first few months of the pandemic, Amtrak has been steadily welcoming back more customers but it's still operating with modified policies and guidelines to keep passengers safe in stations and onboard trains. We have useful tips and information for travelers like you to make your first rail journey as enjoyable as it could be. But be warned: Travel insurance doesnt cover everything. Please be prepared to show valid photo identification to a member of the onboard crew upon request. Leave personal food items and baggage at your seat. Amtrak restores service on routes following COVID cutbacks. 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. Seats are auto assigned on trains with the reserved seating option; however, they can be changed using an interactive diagram on Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app. The policy change comes a day after Tampa's U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball. Text. _ @ " $ # ,). The company updated its policy in reaction to the TSA no longer enforcing the mask mandate. Laser1987/iStock/Getty Images Plus. Watch your step moving from car to car while the train is in motion, as the vestibules can be slippery. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. Let's try a different question. Is driving still safer than flying if youre vaccinated? Let's try a different question. Not only are those places riskier for both visitors and locals, Moyse says, they are also likely to have more restrictions. Amtrak is temporarily suspending a requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by early January, the railroad said Tuesday, a move that could stave off a feared . Bryan Del Monte, president of the Aviation Agency, says travelers can expect a reduction in service when they start traveling again. In a crowded place, a face mask or respirator keeps the virus away, The investigation into covids origins must continue, Your questions about covid-19, answered by Dr. Leana Wen, Lab leak report energizes Republicans covid probes, We are asking the wrong question about the origins of covid, Doctors who touted ivermectin as covid fix now pushing it for flu, RSV, First combination home test for flu and covid cleared by the FDA. Linking to a non-federal Website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Topline. With the Amtrak app. Passwords are case sensitive. While the view itself wasnt breathtaking, I found myself holding my breath. Pre-Departure Checklist Review this handy guide and make your trip as trouble-free as possible Baggage Policy & Service Pack or ship your luggage according to our baggage guidelines and make the most of our service. 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. These include things like cleaning every seat, private room, baggage rack, bathroom, button, caf car, dining car, and other publicly shared spaces with an EPA-registered disinfectant before the train leaves not to mention continuing to spray and wipe down all major touchpoints, including bathrooms, every couple of hours. Employees are also required to wear masks at all times, unless in their private rooms. Detours with locals. The only reason I needed to leave my roomette was to use the restroom, a regularly cleaned compartment about the size of an airplane bathroom at the end of the hall. Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: + terms and conditions Free online workshop! "Try to travel in a car with . We will send password reset instructions. Once youre done getting your vaccine shot(s), protect that fragile document like a Faberg egg. Bad weather and employee COVID-19 cases led Amtrak to reduce its trains' schedule between New Year's Eve and Jan. 6. . "While Amtrak passengers and employees are no longer required to wear masks while on board trains or in stations, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19," the statement read. 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. 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. 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. terms and conditions 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. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. Rules that apply to Reward Tickets redeemed using Amtrak Guest Reward points are not affected by this waiver. And thats when I got to work. And while safety and sanitization were largely prioritized no matter which train I rode, the experience wasnt uniform. For passengers in private cabins, formal traditional dining with chef-prepared meals has returned to most long-distance trains. Seating accommodations vary depending on your route and the kind of train equipment in use. Customers can travel with extra confidence knowing all our trains are equipped with onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every 4-5 minutes. FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. The affected trains include the Southwest Chief (Chicago-Los Angeles), Coast Starlight (Los Angeles-Seattle), California Zephyr (Chicago-San Francisco), Empire Builder (Chicago-Seattle or Portland, Ore.), Crescent (New York-New Orleans), Texas Eagle (Chicago-San Antonio), Capitol Limited (Washington, D.C.-Chicago), Lake Shore Limited (New York-Chicago) and City of New Orleans (Chicago-New Orleans.). The same goes while aboard their trains. Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. For TTY service, call 1-800-523-6590. There are many ways your actions can help protect you, your household, and your community from severe illness from COVID-19. I was excited. Since my journey seemed to vary from what I had read about other pandemic Amtrak experiences, I decided to reach out to travel writer Ali Wunderman, who had journeyed overnight on Amtraks Empire Builder train, which runs from Chicago to Portland, Oregon. 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. If you reply YES to any of the questions in the checklist, stay home (with pay) and follow the steps below: Call your supervisor and. We will send password reset instructions. terms and conditions In my pre-pandemic life, I traveled for work two to three times a month a far cry from the one-mile radius I had confined myself to in Brooklyn between March and August. The policy change comes a day after Tampa's U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled in a 59-page decision that the "mask mandate exceeds the CDC's statutory authority and violated the procedures required for agency rulemaking." Stand back from the edge of the platform. While the ruling is being reviewed, the Biden administration confirmed on Monday night that the TSA will not enforce mask-wearing. That answer wasnt correct either. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. We will send password reset instructions. Amtrak says the reductions should have minimal impact because ridership remains down by 25 percent, and the schedule changes coincide with a slower travel season. Passwords are case sensitive. Amtrak has new COVID-19 safety protocols for the holidays. Review the policy for unaccompanied minors. They even had a decent selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options. 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. Leave personal food items and baggage at your seat. CDC Notice on Facility Access. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. You asked: Can I get a refund if the airline changed my flight time? Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. App users will also receive boarding gate and track information at select stations so they can head directly to their train. To maximize space between passengers and manage flow, Amtrak is encouraging customers to arrive 30 minutes before departure (60 minutes if they need ticketing or baggage assistance). Don't forget to share your train travel experience with us after your trip. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Passwords should be at least 10 characters long and include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. Brown says even if a test is not required for your trip, its always good to know your health status before you venture out and interact with others. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Amtrak has implemented many other innovations in part due to the pandemic, including gate & track push notifications sent to mobile devices and digital wallet payments made with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. 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. Making Reservations for Passengers with a Disability, Meal Service for Passengers with a Disability, Mechanical Bulletins for Private Rail Cars, Exchanging, refunding or reprinting Amtrak travel documents, Purchasing documents with a stored eVoucher or Transportation Credit, Traveling as a Pass Rider (active or retired), Asked onboard trains by train crew members, other Amtrak or operating railroad employees, Asked any time by Amtrak police or any law enforcement officer, Guardian purchasing an unaccompanied minor travel documents or signing the release form, One piece of photo identification issued by a government authority, or, Two pieces of identification, at least one of which is issued by a government authority, Official government-issued identification (federal, state, city or county government or foreign government), Canadian provincial health card ID card with photo, Student identification (university, college or high school photo ID). Another Flight, There are children in room 1 without an adult, You didn't specify child's age for room 1, There are children in room 2 without an adult, There are children in room 3 without an adult, There are children in room 4 without an adult, There are children in room 5 without an adult, Please select a trip duration less than 28 days, There must be at least 1 traveler (age 12+) for each infant in a lap, Exclusive Walgreens Cash rewards for members, AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia: Vacation Packages, Members save when booking a flight vacation package, AARP Identity Theft Protection powered by Norton, Up to 53% off comprehensive protection plans, AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session, Customized workouts designed around your goals and schedule, SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS. Everything you need to know about vaccine passports. That answer wasnt correct either. If you start feeling sick during your shift, follow steps 1 and 2 above. While many parts of my experience failed to meet my expectations, there were others that exceeded them. Lets leave the covid origin mystery to scientists, Covid, flu, RSV declining in hospitals as tripledemic threat fades. Passwords should be at least 10 characters long and include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. Amtrak encourages boarding with eTickets, which conductors scan from the Amtrak app. National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/planning-booking/tickets-id-safety-security/passenger-identification. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . Youre in car 31 thats my car! As the sun set on my first day, I was ready to call it a night. Let's try a different question. Amtrak is ending daily service to hundreds of stations. _ @ " $ # ,). Lena H. Sun and Lori Aratani contributed to this report. and / : ; < = > ? The funding is pending President Biden's signature on the final bill. The internet was spotty at best, forcing me to spend the hours admiring the scenery, reading, and making quick and easy lunchtime friends at my table in the dining room. Passwords are case sensitive. and My lunch was delivered right as we entered my favorite stretch of the journey, when the scenery of central California expanded with the wineries of Paso Robles, then surrounded us on all sides with mountains. Battery fire on Spirit flight to Florida sends 10 to hospital. / : ; < = > ? 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. At first, the feeling was confusing and almost unrecognizable, but then it hit me: For the first time in seven months, I wasnt just going somewhere I was traveling. Dont forget to read the fine print to make sure you are protected for exactly what you need. You may also want to pack refreshments for your trip, particularly if youre flying or taking a train. 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 . We are seniors and had taken a room for the trip. In fact, I had taken my inaugural journey on the bucket-list route back in early February, riding south from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo and then, a few days later, catching the train down again to the end of the line in Los Angeles. Vaccine passports may be as essential as a photo ID. On-the-Spot Requests In instances when it is not feasible or practical to make a request in advance, passengers can request an "on-the-spot" modification to the policy, procedure or practice at any time to any Amtrak employee. For the most part, it seemed the protocols were being adhered to, but when staff seemed more lax about sanitizing and enforcing mask policy, passengers used that opportunity to be less safe themselves.. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . It depends. And again, plan to arrivewearing a mask: Passengers are required to wear facial coverings both at the station and onboard unless they are in a private room with the door closed or actively eating and drinking while maintaining distance from others. All baggage should contain an ID tag. Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. Amtrak will respond to passenger requests within 72 hours. We will send password reset instructions. Please enter a valid station, city, or address. Depending on where youre traveling, you may still need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test result even when vaccinated. WASHINGTON - June is National Safety Month and Amtrak is using the annual observance to remind the public of the importance of railroad safety onboard trains, in stations and around tracks this summer. This left a total of five dining tables open (all of which must be reserved for a specific time in advance). www.roadsbridges.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. Other resources are available for conducting that research, including the State Department and CDC websites or the travel-organizing app TripIt which allows users to learn about coronavirus infection rates, entry and exit rules, and other guidelines.