Amtrak Announces Safety Protocols during COVID-19 Crisis

The safety of Amtrak’s passengers  and employees is our top priority. To protect both our employees and customers, Amtrak is strongly recommending passengers wear facial coverings and follow guidelines around social distancing, consistent with CDC guidelines. Amtrak has safety protocols in places to protect both passengers and employees, as follows:

  • Enhancing Cleaning Protocols: Amtrak has increased the frequency of cleaning services onboard trains and at  stations and have increased the quantity of sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for passengers and employees.
  • Reinforcing Good Hygiene Practices: Amtrak is regularly sharing best practices with employees and passengers on ways to protect against communicable diseases.
  • Limiting Bookings: To help maintain CDC recommendations for social distancing onboard our trains, Amtrak is temporarily reducing coach class and business class sales to 50% capacity.
  • Going Cashless: As an added measure to ensure the health and safety of passengers and employees, Amtrak will temporarily be accepting cashless payments only in stations and on trains.
  • Posting Social Distancing Posters and Floor Stickers: Signage will be displayed at a number of the busiest staffed stations six feet apart to indicate safe distances in high customer traffic areas such as waiting rooms, in front ticket offices, at the base/top of escalators, lounge entrances, etc. In addition, clear protective barriers are being retrofitted at staffed stations where there are no current glass barriers and where they can logistically fit.
  • Updating Food and Beverage Service for Customers: Effective mid-April, the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle will offer flexible dining service in the Dining Car or via room service; Coach passengers will be offered Café service in the Sightseeing Lounge. Traditional dining service will remain on the Auto Train as an exclusive amenity for Sleeping Car customers. This temporary change in service offers additional opportunities for onboard social distancing and will be effective through May 31, 2020

-via Press Release

This article was posted on: April 16, 2020