U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy joined Amtrak leaders this week to mark two major announcements: the long-anticipated launch of new Acela trainsets and the Department of Transportation’s plan to retake management of Washington Union Station.
Union Station has been under USDOT ownership since the 1980s, but its operations have been overseen through a series of agreements with the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) and Amtrak. Federal officials said the new management structure is intended to provide more direct oversight of the historic station, which has struggled with deferred maintenance and declining retail activity.
“Instead of being a point of pride, Washington’s Union Station has fallen into disrepair,” said Sec. Duffy in a statement. “By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost.”
USDOT said it expects to renegotiate agreements with Amtrak and USRC by September, a move that would shift revenue and operational control more squarely under federal oversight. Planned improvements include upgrades to elevators, lighting, security and roof systems. Officials added that reinvestment could attract private partners for future station expansion.
Alongside the Union Station news, Amtrak officially introduced its new generation of Acela trains into service along the busy Northeast Corridor. The trains, built by Alstom in Hornell, NY, are designed to provide faster, more reliable service with modernized interiors.
“Acela is synonymous with American high-speed trains, and today marks a new era of next-generation service,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris in a statement.
The new fleet replaces the original Acela Express trains that have operated since 2000 and is part of a more than decade-long effort to modernize Amtrak’s premium service. The NextGen Acela is the first high-speed train built in the United States, with enhanced seating, updated technology, and energy-efficient design.
“From the moment our guests step onboard, they’ll feel the difference of a NextGen Acela train thanks to a more modern, premium, and elevated experience,” added Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia in a statement.
Amtrak and USDOT framed the two announcements as complementary steps to improve rail infrastructure, passenger experience, and federal oversight in one of the nation’s most important transportation hubs.
For more information, visit www.amtrak.com.
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