Where passenger rail stands for post-pandemic reopening
Passenger railroads are coping with post-COVID-19 reopening along with the rest of the travel industry, although, as with most things railroad, a bit more slowly than the other players. Here’s what I think we know as of mid-June.
Amtrak
Amtrak has made two big readjustments, thanks in part to more money from the government:
Former long-haul daily trains, previously trimmed to three days a week, have resumed daily operation.
Long-haul trains in the West will resume providing real cooked-to-order dining car meals starting this week.
Most short-haul trains are inching back close to pre-COVID schedules. Cross-border trains, however, remain totally canceled, pending whatever happens with the reopening of the Canadian border, generally.
The resumption of real dining car service on the western longhaul trains is likely to be a big winner. All the surveys I’ve seen indicate that folks who spend the time and money to travel in Amtrak sleepers do so, to a large extent, to enjoy the “land cruise” experience of overnight trains. Flying and buses would both be cheaper, faster and less expensive, but the overall deluxe train journey experience is unique. And it really needs full, traditional dining car service, not those pre-package and microwaved meals Amtrak served for a while. If real meals are as important as I think they are, Amtrak can well afford to increase fares enough to cover whatever extra costs are involved.
Over the last year or so, Amtrak has been cutting the number of train-specific discount programs. Instead, it has been featuring brief flash sales of discounts, BoGos, companion tickets and such, plus its standard, year-round 10% to 15% discounts for seniors, disabled and veterans, along with group deals, halffares for kids age 2 to 12, and a few special deals on Downeaster and Capitol Corridor. Most sales and discounts apply only to coach travel, not sleeper or Acela.
Regional and local rail systems around the country are also resuming services, although reports indicate that many areas are having trouble keeping up with rapidly expanding demand. Of special note to tourists: San Francisco gets its cable cars back this September.
Canada
Canada is still closed to travelers from the U.S., at least until July 21, and it’s anybody’s guess when the border will reopen to easy travel. VIARail’s iconic transcontinental train, the
Canadian, remains limited to one Toronto-Vancouver roundtrip per week. Rocky Mountain Express private sightseeing trains are currently scheduled to resume in July and August, but that’s obviously iffy.
Europe
The outlook for summer travel to Europe is a toss-up. One week we hear about widespread reopening, the next week another lockdown. The industry is talking about unfettered travel for vaccinated visitors, but with no specifics.
If you’re in a mood to roll the dice, Eurail is selling its family of Eurail Passes at a 10% discount through the end of the month. You have 11 months to travel, and if you can’t, the pass is 85% refundable. Keep in mind that stiff mandatory seat reservation fees mean that trips on many of the top high-speed trains are far from “free” to passholders. The French-Swiss Lyria trains are the worst offenders, with reservation fees only a few euros less than the cheapest individual tickets on some trains, including fees.
Big project delays
East Side Access by Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Station, now slated for 2022.
Amtrak’s new second- generation high-speed Avelia trainsets, now targeted at “spring 2022,” at best.
New people-mover at O’Hare airport, now maybe late this year.
Caltrain electrification, currently expected in maybe 2024.
London’s Crossrail, or “Elizabeth Line,” not opening until at least spring 2021.