UPDATED JULY 26, 2020… North American passenger rail is preparing for post-Covid19 operations as infection levels level off or drop in many areas across the continent. Amtrak and its Canadian counterpart VIA Rail along with regional rail services on both sides of the border are adjusting service levels based on local risks and public demand. Ridership is slowly edging up in many markets and while trip frequencies remain below normal levels, many services are increasing. At the same time, intensive sanitization regiments continue coupled with personal behavior directives including social distancing and facial coverings for riders and personnel, alike. Other in-station and on-board amenities and services have been adjusted.
Amtrak schedule changes
While Amtrak is gradually restoring some trains, a number of cuts remain in effect.
Acela service between Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC is operating on a reduced schedule. Northeast Regional services between Boston and Virginia, while more frequent that at Covid’s onset, remain reduced.
In Pennsylvania, Pennsylvanian service (New York – Pittsburgh) has been fully restored while Keystone trans between Harrisburg and Philadelphia are running at reduced frequency with no through-service to New York City.
In New England, Amtrak Hartford Line (New Haven – Springfield), and Valley Flyer (New Haven – Greenfield) trains are running on reduced schedules. Downeaster (Boston – Brunswick, Maine) service has been restored on a limited basis.
In New York State, all Empire Service (New York City – Albany – Niagara Falls) are operating on reduced schedules. Maple Leaf (New York – Niagara Falls only), Adirondack (New York – Albany only) are running on regular schedules, but through-service to Canada (Toronto and Montréal) remains suspended.
Amtrak service into Vermont continues to be suspended. Ethan Allen Express trains are operating New York – Albany only; Vermonter from New York City ends in New Haven (no train on Sunday).
North Carolina’s Carolinian service (New York – Charlotte)) is operating on a reduced scheduled while Piedmont (Charlotte – Raleigh) trains are suspended.
Silver Star and Silver Meteor services (New York – Miami) are operating on reduced schedules.
In the Midwest, Hiawatha (Chicago – Milwaukee) has fully resumed. Wolverine (Chicago – Pontiac) schedules have been cut back and Pere Marquette (Chicago – Grand Rapids) trains have been canceled.
Illini/Saluki (Chicago – Carbondale), Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg (Chicago – Quincy), and Lincoln Service (Chicago – St. Louis) continue to run on reduced schedules.
Missouri River Runner service (St. Louis – Kansas City) has been cut back.
In California, Capitol Corridor (San Jose – Sacramento), San Joaquins (Bakersfield – Oakland and Sacramento), and Pacific Surfliner (San Luis Obispo – San Diego) are operating wth reduced frequency.
In the Pacific Northwest, Amtrak Cascades service is operating a reduced schedule (Eugene – Seattle only; no service to Vancouver, BC).
Amtrak Thruway Bus services have been reduced.
VIA Rail schedule changes
In Canada, VIA Rail Corridor Services (Windsor – Toronto – Ottawa – Montréal – Québec City) are operating on reduced schedules. Service is limited to Economy Class with food services limited to snacks and water.
Toronto – Niagara services is suspended until further notice.
VIA’s flagship overnight trains, The Canadian (Toronto – Vancouver) and The Ocean (Montreal – Halifax) trains are discontinued until November 1st.
Montréal – Jonquière, Montréal – Senneterre, and Sudbury – White River services have been reduced. Food services are limited to snacks and water.
Winnipeg – Churchill service is limited to Economy Class with food services limited to snacks and water. Sleeper Plus Class is suspended until November 1st.
Jasper – Prince George – Prince Rupert service is is limited.
Other rail service changes
Coronavirus-related cuts are not limited to Amtrak and VIA Rail. All Alaska Railroad trains are operating on reduced schedules through the end of the summer season in Septmber..
South Florida’s Virgin/Brightline service (Miami – Ft. Lauderdale – West Palm Beach) has discontinued operations until 2021.
Other regional services have taken a range of measures to meet local challenges presented by the Coronavirus.
Boston’s ‘T’ (MBTA) subways, light rail and Commuter Rail continue operating on reduced schedules.
In New York City, MTA subways as well as Staten Island Railway, Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road services are being ramped up to at or near normal service levels. There is no subway service from 1 am to 5 am
In New Jersey, NJTransit comtinues operating all commuter rail and light rail on reduced Essential Services schedules except Atlantic City Rail Line service which continues to operate on a regular weekday schedule.
In Philadelphia, all SEPTA subways and trolleys, and selected suburban rail will begin running expanded services on all lines except Chestnut Hill West and Cynwyd effective June 28th. Schedules for PATCO trains to New Jersey have been adjusted.
Washington DC’s WMATA services have been scaled back with rail services suspended after 9:00 pm. Some Metro stations and other station entrances have been closed. Maryland’s MARC and Virginia’s VRE commuter trains are operating on limited schedules.
Chicago’s CTA is operating “L” trains on as closee to normal schedules as possible. Metra commuter trains are operating at reduced frequencies. South Shore Line trains to Indiana have adopted a modified weekday schedule.
Some of San Francisco SFMTA’s Muni Metro Rail and light rail routes have returned to the rails while others remain served by buses. BART trains are operating on a regular schedule but stop running at 9:00 pm. Caltrain commuter rail is operating on a reduced schedule.
In Los Angeles, Metrorail services and Metrolink trains are operating on reduced schedules with final Metrorail departures at midnight.
In Canada, Montréal’s STM Métro lines are now all operating at pre-covid levels. All EXO commuter rail and other transit continue operating on reduced schedules (except Mascouche operating on full schedule).
Toronto’s TTC subways, streetcars and UP airport shuttle are subect to service changes. GO Transit train and bus schedules have been cut back and adjusted.
Ontario Northland’s Polar Bear Express service (Cochrane – Moosonee) has restored all trains.
Vancouver’s Translink SkyTrain, West Coast Express commuter rail and other services are operating on reduced schedules.
Railfan favorites like heritage trains and scenic railways face particular hurdles. For many, opening day for their 2020 season is just days or weeks away. Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer and Agawa Canyon Tour Train have canceled their 2020 seasons. The Grand Canyon Railway has returned to full operation. California’s Napa Valley Wine Train plans to resume trips on July 1st. Elsewhere, scenic and historic railway remain in flux with opeings and closures governed by local infevtion rates and government dictates. Most heritage railways in the USA and Canada maintain websites where you can confirm current COVID-19 responses.
