Amtrak Swaps Buses For Hiawatha Line Trains Due To Coronavirus

CHICAGO — Due to a decline in ridership during the coronavirus pandemic, Amtrak has replaced its daily Hiawatha between Milwaukee and Chicago trains with buses. The changes began Friday and are due to remain in place through May 25.

The buses are scheduled to stop at all Hiawatha service stations except Glenview. During the changes, Empire Builder trains will stop at all Hiawatha corridor stations.

In order to maintain social distancing, riders are required to get reservations. Riders are also strongly encouraged to wear face masks while using any Amtrak service. Bus operators will have their faces covered and buses will be cleaned before each trip, according to Amtrak.

The Thruway Bus service is being operated in partnership with state transportation departments in Wisconsin and Illinois, according to a news release. The ADA-accessible coaches offer Wi-Fi service, tables and bathrooms.

Across Illinois, Amtrak announced it has also suspended or modified service on the following routes:

• Chicago-Milwaukee corridor service reduced to daily round-trips by Empire Builder Trains 7/27 and 8/28 and Amtrak Thruway Buses 3330 and 3339, April 24-May 25. Reservations required except for holders of current Hiawatha Multi-Ride Tickets. Hiawatha peak fare surcharge suspended.
• Chicago-St. Louis corridor service reduced to three daily round-trips by Lincoln Service Trains 300, 303, 306 and 307 and Texas Eagle Trains 21/421 and 22/422.
• Chicago-Carbondale corridor service reduced to two daily round-trips by Illini/Saluki Trains 390 and 393 and City of New Orleans Trains 58 and 59.
• Chicago-Macomb-Quincy corridor service reduced to one daily round-trip by Illinois Zephyr Trains 380 and 383.
• Chicago-Detroit-Pontiac corridor service reduced to one daily round-trip by Wolverine Trains 351 and 352.
• Chicago-Holland-Grand Rapids daily service by Pere Marquette Trains 370 and 371 suspended.

There will be no change to the daily service between Chicago and Port Huron on Blue Water Trains 364 and 365. More information about Amtrak service changes in response to the coronavirus pandemic is available on its website.

Nationwide, Amtrak has suspended the following service until further notice:

• Acela (Boston – Washington, DC)
• Carolinian (Charlotte – New York)
• Downeaster (Boston – Brunswick, Maine)
• Keystone Service (Harrisburg – New York)
• Pennsylvanian (New York – Pittsburgh)
• Pere Marquette (Chicago – Grand Rapids)