Warning that it may lose “several hundred million dollars” because of reduced travel related to the coronavirus pandemic, Amtrak has told employees that it has “begun aggressive measures to cut costs” and to be prepared for “significant reductions” in service in response to a sharp decrease in ridership.
The Wednesday email to employees, signed by Stephen Gardner, senior executive vice president and chief operating and commercial officer, said that future bookings are down 50% compared to a year ago and that cancellations are up more than 300%. It said the company will begin a voluntary leave program for “non-mission critical employees” willing to take unpaid time off, and that the company is communicating its situation to members of Congress and others in the federal government.
Publicly, Amtrak announced Wednesday that two more Northeast Corridor trains were being suspended, bringing to three the number sidelined because of curtailed travel, and said “additional changes to our schedule are under consideration.” In addition to the previously suspended nonstop New York-Washington Acela No. 2401, other trains temporarily discontinued are No. 2103, a 6 a.m. Acela from New York to Washington, and No. 2402, the 4:30 p.m. Washington to New York nonstop Acela.
