Amtrak Auto Train Adds More Coach Seats

Published on : Thursday, January 2, 2014

In response to growing demand, Amtrak Auto Train is expanding capacity by adding more seats for travel beginning on Jan. 1 through March 31.
Auto Train offers both coach and sleeper accommodations. Up to 60 additional coach seats will be available for travel on variety of dates on Train 53 to Florida (Jan. 1 – 9; Jan. 16; Jan. 29 – Feb. 1; Feb 14 – 15; and Feb. 28) and Train 52 from Florida (Jan. 2 – 4; Feb. 22; Feb. 28; March 1; March 15; and March 29 – 31).
“The Auto Train is the easiest and most enjoyable way to travel between the northeast and Florida while your car takes a breather,” said Amtrak Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Matt Hardison. “People love to leave the driving to us. This service continues to grow in popularity, and Amtrak is responding with more capacity.”
As one of Amtrak’s most popular routes, Auto Train is a unique service that allows passengers to travel with their personal vehicles including cars, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, and even small boats or jet-skis. It is the only such service in the U.S. and eliminates nearly 900 miles of driving for travelers between the Northeast and all points in Florida. Auto Train is the longest passenger train in the world with two locomotives and 40-plus passenger rail cars and vehicle carriers.
Recently, Amtrak added Priority Vehicle Offloading, which passengers can purchase so that their vehicle is one of the first offloaded from the train. Vehicle counts can total 200-300 per
train, and this service helps passengers get to their destination sooner.
Auto Train departs daily from both Lorton, Va. (near Washington, D.C.), and Sanford, Fla. (near Orlando), with up to 600 passengers. Amtrak passengers travel in wide, comfortable seats, and their vehicles likewise enjoy the journey in enclosed vehicle carriers.