Thanks to G. for sending. What’s up with the TSA for the train at Union Station? Anyone know when this went in? Are there now much deeper, regular, screenings for the Amtrak?
And in other Union Station news: (more…)
Train
It’s actually happening!!
From Amtrak:
“All aboard the future of East Coast travel! Starting Thursday, Aug. 28, customers can travel on Amtrak’s NextGen Acela – America’s high-speed train – connecting the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston.
🛤️ This historic launch introduces: (more…)
Sweet City Ride is made possible by the Friends of the PoPville Society!
Thanks to G. for sending the “The Amtrak Crayola engine spotted at Union Station.” (more…)
photo by Emma K Alexandra
“Dear PoPville,
My birthday is in mid-September, and in the decade+ I’ve lived in DC, I’ve always followed this rule that I should have my Thanksgiving and Christmas Amtrak tickets home to New York purchased before my birthday in order to secure a good price.
In recent years for Thanksgiving, for example, I’ve departed the day before the holiday and come back to DC over the weekend. Since the pandemic, I’ve paid $120-150 for roundtrip coach tickets (though one year, I got a steal with $58 roundtrip tickets from a promotional sale).
I just took a look at the website and a one-way ticket is a whopping $286 for any time slot– and this is well earlier than the time I usually look for tickets. (more…)
via Amtrak
From Amtrak:
“Get ready for next-level train travel in America
NextGen Acela is faster, smoother, and will offer more departures between major city centers from Washington, DC, to New York to Boston and destinations in between. Designed with innovative features and amenities, you can experience First Class and Business Class travel on America’s only high-speed rail service. Check back for the latest updates.
New premium amenities (more…)
Photo by Olaf Zerbock
From WMATA:
“Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld today accepted a recommendation of the transit authority’s Pandemic Task Force that face coverings or masks be required when traveling on Metro effective Monday, May 18. The move strengthens Metro’s position on the matter, which has “strongly recommended” the use of face coverings since early April, in accordance with CDC guidance. While the overwhelming majority of riders already comply voluntarily, the requirement is viewed as a necessary step as Metro plans for an eventual recovery with more riders using the system. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
The last several nights- there are two mysterious trucks with what looks like giant vacuums on them next to the train tracks above 2nd and K St NE. They seem to start late evening and run non-stop until about midnight and are so loud! I’m a block away and Indoors, a decibel app messures 45dB and if I open the window of my apartment it reads ~80dB. Loud enough to be super annoying at night. Wondering if anyone in the community has insight as to what this machinery is and/or what the project is?”
Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown
From Amtrak:
“Acela Nonstop
Starting Monday, September 23
On the new Acela Nonstop you can travel uninterrupted from New York to Washington DC, and back again. No stops and no disruptions mean you can travel faster than ever from the Big Apple to the Capitol. Starting September 23, weekday trains depart from New York at 6:35 am and Washington DC. at 4:30 pm, so you can make an easy day trip and be home with time to enjoy your evening.” (more…)
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Photo by PoPville flickr user Dave Bloom
Speaking of vaping etiquette…
From a press release:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today she has introduced the Banning Smoking on Amtrak Act of 2019, which would codify Amtrak’s internal policy prohibiting smoking, including electronic cigarettes, on its trains. The bill is modeled after Norton’s bill, enacted into law in 2018 as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act, that clarifies that the smoking ban on airplanes includes electronic cigarettes. (more…)