Amtrak orders more new trains to meet growing demand
Amtrak’s next-generation of rail cars is set to roll out to even more passengers than originally planned.
The U.S. rail carrier is ordering 10 more of its new Amtrak Airo trainsets to meet surging passenger demand, the rail carrier announced Monday.
The order brings Amtrak to 83 Amtrak Airo trains, which are set to debut in 2026 along various routes in the Northeast, spanning from Toronto to Miami.
“We’re thrilled to satisfy the soaring demand for train travel with new state-of-the-art, American-made equipment that ensures the highest standards of comfort, service and amenities,” Amtrak president Roger Harris said in a statement. “These new trainsets will help us get people where they need to go while reducing road and air congestion, creating jobs and supporting the American economy.”
Passenger demand for rail travel has exceeded its expectations, according to Amtrak. In a CNBC interview on Monday, Harris said the rail carrier has seen increased ridership this summer as overall travel demand has grown.
A next-generation ride: Amtrak unveils new train cars with plenty for customers to love
In August, ridership along the Northeast Corridor — the carrier's busiest railroad — increased 12% from 2019, according to CNBC, despite experiencing mounting delays this summer caused largely by sweltering weather, an aging fleet and nationwide reconstruction projects.
"There's a renewed interest in rail," Harris said on CNBC.
The new trains are part of a multi-billion dollar project to upgrade Amtrak's existing infrastructure. Amtrak directly received $22 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed Congress in 2021. The act earmarked a total of $66 billion for freight and rail. The remaining $44 billion went toward the Federal Rail Administration for various passenger and freight upgrades, such as renovations for the Northeast Corridor's tunnels and bridges.
At a December 2022 press conference in New York City's Moynihan Train Hall, Harris said the Amtrak Airo trains combine "sustainable transportation, world-class design and modern amenities."
The trains are Amtrak’s latest car design that it intends to roll out on a number of routes throughout the country. Passenger-friendly upgrades include seats with USB ports, an updated cafe car with grab-and-go service and boarding equipment for passengers with reduced mobility.
As part of a push toward more environmentally friendly travel, the new Amtrak trains will feature hybrid engines; this will allow for zero emissions when passing through New York City's tunnels, Janet Ho, the assistant commissioner for New York City's Department of Transportation, said at the December 2022 press conference.
Amtrak is also rolling out new Acela trains in 2023 that can travel as fast as 160 miles per hour. While the new Amtrak Airo trains won't be as fast as the Acela, the new trains will be more energy efficient. The Amtrak Airo trains will still shave time off routes because, with the new technology, the trains won't have to switch engines — a step currently necessary to swap electric engines for diesel-fueled ones in more rural areas.
The new trains will serve the Northeast Regional Corridor, Empire Service, Virginia Services, Keystone Service, Downeaster, Cascades, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield Service, Palmetto, Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter, Ethan Allen Express and Adirondack.
Amtrak projects the entire Amtrak Airo fleet should be rolled out by 2031.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.