Amtrak cancels most flights due to rail strike

National passenger rail carrier Amtrak has announced that it will be canceling trains on most of its long-distance routes effective September 15 due to a freight rail strike that could start on September 16. Writes about it USA Today.

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“Amtrak is closely following ongoing labor contract negotiations between rail carriers and the railroad. Amtrak or Amtrak employees are not involved in the negotiations. While we hope the parties will come to an agreement, Amtrak has now begun phased adjustments to our services in preparation for a possible rail halt,” Amtrak said in a statement.

These adjustments include the cancellation of all long-distance trains and may be followed by an impact on most routes. These adjustments are necessary to ensure that trains can reach their terminals before the end of rail freight if a negotiated solution is not reached.

What are you entitled to if your train is cancelled?

According to Amtrak, the company will try to notify passengers at least 24 hours in advance if their train is cancelled.

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The company will offer a full refund for any canceled trains or reschedule the booking to another travel date without charging any fare difference until October 31st.

Which routes will be affected

Amtrak plans to cancel all long-distance trains starting September 15, including the road train between Virginia and Florida, as well as other interstate routes. The railroad warns that interstate routes could also be affected with the start of the strike.

The route between Boston and Washington, owned by Amtrak, is unlikely to be affected, and Amtrak plans to continue operating at full schedule.

Will it affect suburban routes

Some passengers may run into problems.

Metra, which operates commuter trains around Chicago, Illinois, contracts with freight rail companies to operate some of its lines. In a statement, Metra warns that some services will be cut or suspended at all branches in the event of a strike. And the Virginia Railway Express in D.C. also warned of potential disruptions.

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The services of other operators across the country can also be affected if they use freight rail, so it's best to check with your local operator what a strike might mean for your trips.

Why a freight rail strike will affect passenger trains

Although Amtrak provides service throughout the country, the company actually owns very little of the tracks it uses. Many of its trains outside the northeast corridor between Boston and Washington use lines that are controlled by freight railroads. Thus, a strike by workers on these railroads could affect Amtrak's ability to operate on their property.

Freight railroad workers have been negotiating a contract for three years, and the two largest unions have not supported the terms of the latest round of negotiations.

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