Amtrak’s new Acela trains will enter service in spring 2025
After more than a decade of planning and years of testing, Amtrak’s next-generation, high-speed Acela trains finally enter service early next year.
The rail operator confirmed this week that the new Acela trains will enter revenue service at some point in spring 2025.
It’s a major milestone that will bring much greater comfort – and capacity – to Amtrak’s vital Northeast Corridor service that runs between Washington, DC and Boston via New York City.
Amtrak said the new trains “will upgrade the travel experience for millions of passengers and set the stage for the next generation of train travel in America and on the Northeast Corridor.”
Related: Amtrak launches new self-registration option on Acela trains
A much delayed timeline
To be sure, the fact that travelers won’t see the new Acela trains until next spring is a delay from Amtrak’s previously announced schedule.
In fact, the new Acela trains are more than three years behind schedule and have encountered a series of setbacks – among them the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, the federal watchdog reported Flagged defects on a range of new Acela trains, warning problems risk further delaying their introduction into service.
This time last year, Amtrak told me They hope passengers can board the new trains by the end of 2024.
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However, passengers’ wait seems to be almost over.
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In an update last week, Amtrak said it recently completed more than 900 test runs of the new Acela trains with Alstom (the train’s manufacturer) and planned to submit the data to the Federal Railroad Administration soon. – an important final step.
Amtrak’s multibillion-dollar next-generation Acela program will replace the aging Acela fleet with 28 brand-new trains with personal outlets, USB ports, contactless restrooms and accessible coffee cars. much improved.
Finally, infrastructure improvements along the Northeast Corridor will also allow trains to reach top speeds of up to 160 mph.
Related: Amtrak Guest Rewards: How to Earn and Redeem Points on Train Rides
All on board
The news comes as Amtrak just announced its fiscal 2024 and record-setting ridership, which spans from October 2023 to September 2024. That includes a 9% year-over-year increase in Acela ridership ago – and ridership increased by 18% more broadly in the Northeast region.
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