(TAN): Amtrak has unveiled its new Acela fleet of high-speed trains that will reduce carbon consumption by nearly half.
The Acela line, which will begin operating between Boston and Washington DC in 2021, will allow passengers in the northeastern part of the US to travel in a more sustainable way.
The lightweight design of the train is key to its reduction of carbon output by nearly 40% per customer. Another added benefit of the weight reduction is speed. The trains will travel at 160 miles per hour, which is 10 miles faster than current models allowing passengers to commute faster.
The new-look low carbon transport of the national passenger railroad service will be more comfortable and feature several improvements over its predecessor. Number of seats have been increased by 25%, with more legroom and larger luggage storage compartments.
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The new model will also be more accessible and people with disabilities will easily be able to move through the locomotive. There will be built-in technology to keep passengers updated of their location, travel speed and any announcements from the conductor.
There will be complimentary Wi-Fi onboard and each seat will have its own power outlet and USB ports for passengers to plug in their devices. Each seat also comes with adjustable reading lights.
Amtrak has upgraded the cafe and has expanded the dining and beverage options on offer. Passengers will have a greater selection of meals and craft beers to choose from. The food items will be packaged in more environmentally friendly packaging.
