Amtrak gets a USD1 billion bailout
National rail operator Amtrak is getting more than $1 billion in federal relief to keep the railroad system running.
Transportation secretary Elaine Chao announced the billion-dollar bailout.
The $1.02 billion is Amtrak’s cut of the $2 trillion Cares Act, and come as cancellations surge due to inter-state travel restrictions across the country.
"This $1 billion in federal emergency assistance to Amtrak will help maintain service for its passengers when the economy recovers," Chao said.
The money will help offset declining revenues and pay for essential employees to continue railroad maintenance, and track work.
"This essential funding will help keep our people working during this unprecedented reduction in travel demand," said Amtrak SVP Stephen Gardner.
"We will come out of this crisis ready to continue growing ridership and improving our performance."
Amtrak said it is encouraging all train passengers to wear CDC-recommended face coverings.
It has already been reducing the number of riders by up to 50% to meet social distancing recommendations.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026