Tentative railway labor agreement reached, trains will run

UPDATE from Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner:

“This tentative agreement will keep our trains moving, stations bustling, and employees proudly serving customers as we move them across this great country, stimulating local economies in more than 500 communities we serve. Railroads play a vital role in the nation and we thank President Biden, Secretaries Buttigieg, Walsh and Vilsack, the major freight railroads and rail labor unions for their hard work and commitment to get this deal done. Thank you also to our customers for their patience and understanding, and we look forward to welcoming them back on the rails starting today and tomorrow.”

Statement from Amtrak regarding the freight rail labor situation:

Amtrak is closely monitoring the ongoing freight rail – rail labor contract negotiations and is hopeful that parties will reach a resolution soon. The negotiations do not involve Amtrak or the Amtrak workforce.  

While we are hopeful that parties will reach a resolution, Amtrak has now begun phased adjustments to our service in preparation for a possible freight rail service interruption later this week. Such an interruption could significantly impact intercity passenger rail service, as Amtrak operates almost all of our 21,000 route miles outside the Northeast Corridor (NEC) on track owned, maintained, and dispatched by freight railroads. 

These adjustments are necessary to ensure trains can reach their terminals before freight railroad service interruption if a resolution in negotiations is not reached.  

Most travel within the Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor (Boston – New York – Washington) would not be affected: Acela would operate a full schedule, and only a small number of Northeast Regional departures would be impacted.  In addition, Empire Service between New York and Albany; Keystone Service between New York and Harrisburg; the Amtrak Hartford Line between New Haven and Springfield, Mass., and the Downeaster between Boston and Brunswick, Maine, will operate as scheduled.

For Thursday, Sept. 15, all Amtrak Long Distance Trains are canceled.

Additionally, some State-Supported frequencies have been canceled for the evening of Thursday, Sept. 15, on the following services (check Amtrak.com for specific train/details): Capitol Corridor, Amtrak Cascades,Heartland Flyer, Illinois Service, Michigan Service, Pacific Surfliner (partial), Piedmont, San Joaquins, Springfield Service (north of Springfield), and Virginia Service.

Amtrak will notify impacted and potentially impacted customers about this situation, and will change customer’s reservation to another travel date, waiving any difference in fare for departures through October 31, or provide a full refund without cancelation fees, upon request.