Amtrak Florida Train Service Restoration Begins
Like me, if you’re one of the hundreds of Amtrak passengers that still can’t get back to Florida post-Irma, take heart. Last night, Amtrak Florida train service restoration details were announced.
If you were booked on any canceled itineraries, Amtrak will contact you if you furnished your email address or text phone number. This is why you should share your contact info when you make your reservation or create an alert at Amtrak.com anytime you book a train trip.
Even if your route (ex. NYC-Miami) isn’t yet restored, you can request the closest drop-off point. I wish someone at Amtrak had suggested that to me before I rescheduled (for the third time) my return trip to Florida. With the help of a rental car from Savannah or Jacksonville, I could be home three days sooner. But no one at Amtrak suggested this option. If this is possible for you, you must request the option. Otherwise, the reservationist will only furnish the exact same service as your original ticket. I thought of this only after I was rebooked to South Florida.
Amtrak train route restoration update
From Amtrak:
The southbound Palmetto, Train 89, will resume service on Thursday, Sept. 14, for its full route from New York City to Savannah, Ga., following a temporary service suspension due to severe weather in the area.
On Friday, Sept. 15, the northbound Palmetto, Train 90, will complete the service restoration on that route, including related Amtrak Thruway Bus Connections.
Also on Friday, Sept. 15, Amtrak will provide modified service by the Silver Star, Trains 91 & 92 between New York City and Jacksonville, Fla., only, with an added stop at Jesup, Ga.. No alternate transportation is available along the normal route of the Silver Star, which ordinarily services Miami via Orlando and Tampa.
“Amtrak thanks CSX for its work to reopen the Savannah and Jacksonville routes, including stops in the Carolinas, following the landfall of Hurricane Irma.”
The Silver Meteor, Trains 97 & 98, between Miami and New York City, and the Auto Train, Trains 52 & 53, between Sanford, Fla, and Lorton, Va., remain cancelled. (BUT…you can get part-way there if you ask!)
Read about: My Amtrak overnight train from New York to Florida
Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.
Passengers with travel plans also can confirm their train’s status, change their plans or review refund information using a range of tools – including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Service Alerts, Passenger Notices and other announcements are posted at Amtrak.com/alerts.
