The Consumer Reports Travel Column (“Let’s all Skeenatize: Via rail on right track with overnight lodging stops” Travel, Oct. 5) suggested that Amtrak offer passengers a series of day trips on its long-distance network, allowing customers to overnight in hotels along the way.
It’s a great idea–and exactly what Amtrak gives customers today.
The columnist suggests we convert several overnight trains, including the Southwest Chief and Lakeshore Limited out of Chicago, into trains that park along their routes each night instead of traveling. This would be impractical; it would greatly increase the amount of equipment needed to operate daily Amtrak service and the associated costs.
Here is Amtrak’s low-cost alternative:
Amtrak already offers daytime travel with overnight stopovers, and it is even easier now that daily service has been restored on all but three routes. Amtrak offers regional fares that enable passengers to board the Southwest Chief, Lakeshore Limited or most other trains, travel as far as they would like, disembark and stop over, boarding a day or more later to continue their journey–up to three times within 45 days.
In addition, passengers can arrange for hotel stays at more than 100 U.S. destinations through Amtrak vacation and tour packages. Passengers can also take an Air Rail trip with daylight Amtrak trains, discounted flights on United Airlines and hotel accommodations, making connections to other daylight Amtrak train routes.
