Washington, D.C. (TAN): Amtrak will launch a range of customer service improvements and changes on its Auto Train starting January 2020.
The Auto Train, that runs nonstop daily between Lorton in the United States’ Virginia state and Sanford, Florida, enables passengers to travel with their vehicles, such as cars, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, small boats or jet-skis.
Enhancements will include increase in availability of sleeping car accommodation such as roomettes, bedrooms, family bedrooms, and accessible bedrooms, to meet demand. Sleeping cars will feature upgraded bed linens, towels and other essentials, the company said.
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A new menu will be added to the dining car, along with free wine in the dinner service. Sleeping car customers will be offered the complimentary dinner service as an ‘exclusive amenity’ from January 15.
The Auto Train will also introduce Cross-Country Café, which from January 15 will serve up more meals, snacks and beverages. While it will be a new dining option for coach passengers, they will no longer be offered complimentary dinner service. However, they will be provided a complimentary continental breakfast.
All riders will have access to food trucks onsite in Lorton and Sanford.
One-way fares for coach customers will start from USD89, excluding the cost of vehicles. Oversized vehicles fare will be available for minivans, full-size pick-up trucks and SUVs with three or more rows.
“These upgrades represent an investment in improving the travel experience on this one-of-a-kind train. Our continued success depends on increasing customer satisfaction by upgrading sleeping accommodations, keeping Coach as an affordable option and providing more choice in food options in the station and onboard,” Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson said.
