Amtrak Returns Acela Service Through Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD — Amtrak's Acela line on the Northeast Corridor through Baltimore is set to resume June 1, the passenger train provider announced in a release Friday. At present, Acela is returning with a modified schedule and additional safety and wellness measures in place to protect travelers.

Acela service includes three round trips each week day. Further, the Northeast Regional line will increase its trip frequency from eight to 10 round trips.

Upon reopening, ticket sales for coach, business and first class seating will be reduced to 50 percent capacity to help passengers practice social distancing, Amtrak said. Also, passengers are no longer allowed to pay for train fare using cash. For now, Amtrak is only accepting cashless payments in stations and on trains.

Other precautions will be taken to keep passengers healthy, Amtrak said. Passengers riding Amrak today are required to wear face masks or facial coverings in stations, on trains and on thruway buses.

Although ticket sales have been reduced by 50 percent, passengers are still required to maintain physical distance from one another. Amtrak has installed signage reminding passengers to keep a healthy distance and constructed protective barriers at stations were there were formerly no glass barriers.

Lastly, Amtrak is offering temporary Flexible Dining service in the dining or lounge car on all long-distance routes except for Auto Train. Seating in dining and cafe areas will be limited. Passengers in sleeping cars are encouraged to select in-room service for meals during their routes.

“We are dedicated to doing everything possible to return service safely. We want everyone to feel comfortable as they navigate this new normal,” Amtrak President and CEO Bill Flynn said in a statement.