Amtrak Launches New High-Speed Trains

Starting Thursday, five new Amtrak trains will connect Washington, DC, New York, and Boston, reaching speeds up to 160 mph.

The Nextgen Acela service is set to commence from Union Station in Washington. The Department of Transport is overseeing this initiative, aiming to rejuvenate what it calls “federal property” as it heads towards New York’s Penn Station.

Earlier this year, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the need for improved public safety at train stations.

The NextGen Acela is viewed as a “premium ride” for passengers, featuring free high-speed Wi-Fi, individual USB ports, power outlets, and reading lights.

As for ticket pricing, a one-way business class fare from Washington to New York on August 29th was listed at $498.

Amtrak President Roger Harris highlighted in a statement on August 7th that the NEXTGEN ACELA sets new benchmarks for train travel in America.

By 2027, a total of 28 of these trains are expected to be operational.

Amtrak has also expanded its weekday and weekend schedules, boosting capacity with 27% more seats available per trip.

The NextGen Acela fleet was put together by skilled workers at an Alstom facility in Hornell, New York, using parts from over 180 suppliers across 29 states, which has supported around 15,000 jobs in the U.S.

This route, known as Acela, is what Amtrak refers to as “the busiest railway corridor in the country,” having been introduced on December 11, 2000.

The original version of the train only reached speeds of 150 mph.

Notably, during his first term, Trump sought to reduce funding for Amtrak, which was receiving approximately $2.4 billion annually from federal support in 2023.

This March, Congress allocated $2.42 billion for Amtrak’s operations through September 30th.

The company has been led by President Harris since March, although a new CEO has yet to be announced. Last year marked a record in passenger numbers for Amtrak.