It’s been more than a year since Amtrak services stopped in Vermont because of Covid-19, but Thursday the Vermont Agency of Transportation announced that services should resume starting July 19.”Last March we suspended Amtrak service in and out of Vermont due to Covid,” Dan Delabruere at the Vermont Agency of Transportation said.The services include The Vermonter, running from St. Albans through Massachusetts and Connecticut all the way to Washington D.C. There is also the Ethan Allen Express, connecting Rutland to Albany and ending in New York City. Both options will return to their normal schedules and normal fares.”The Amtrak restart is really based on the data,” Delabruere said. “If you look at the Governor’s ‘Vermont Forward Plan’ it looks at the anticipated vaccination rate and by July it looks like our vaccination rate should be pretty high.”Governor Phil Scott’s “Vermont Forward Plan” includes easing of travel restrictions for those leaving and coming to the state.”I smiled of course,” Christopher Parker from Vermont Rail Action Network said of the announcement. “It’s something we’re looking forward to.”As people begin to travel again, local experts in the railroad industry say the return of Amtrak services will be important as Vermont’s economy tries to rebuild from losses suffered during the pandemic. “I think the date they’ve chosen is reasonable. I wish it had been sooner but I fully understand,” Carl Fowler, Retired President of Rail Travel Adventures, said. “I think there’s going to be tremendous pent-up demand for travel within the United States this summer.”Many are hoping this could mean an increase in tourism coming back to the Green Mountain State. “Only 45 percent of New York City people drive so if we want those people to come to Vermont we need a way for them to get here,” Parker said. The return of the services could also mean Vermonters will be able to take a trip themselves, whether they’re leaving the state for business or to reconnect with loved ones. “People come here and even if they’re not taking the train every day or every month, their decision to move to Vermont may be influenced by the fact that they can reach their grandchildren or their clients,” Parker said. For other Vermonters, the return of the Amtrak trains means easier and more affordable transportation to other parts of the state.”You can take the Vermonter for example from northern Vermont down to White River Junction for the day and go to an appointment at the VA hospital in White River Junction,” Fowler said. “There was substantial ridership that did that.” Covid-19 protocols put in place by Amtrak will be required for all travelers.
It’s been more than a year since Amtrak services stopped in Vermont because of Covid-19, but Thursday the Vermont Agency of Transportation announced that services should resume starting July 19.
“Last March we suspended Amtrak service in and out of Vermont due to Covid,” Dan Delabruere at the Vermont Agency of Transportation said.
Advertisement
The services include The Vermonter, running from St. Albans through Massachusetts and Connecticut all the way to Washington D.C. There is also the Ethan Allen Express, connecting Rutland to Albany and ending in New York City. Both options will return to their normal schedules and normal fares.
“The Amtrak restart is really based on the data,” Delabruere said. “If you look at the Governor’s ‘Vermont Forward Plan’ it looks at the anticipated vaccination rate and by July it looks like our vaccination rate should be pretty high.”
Governor Phil Scott’s “Vermont Forward Plan” includes easing of travel restrictions for those leaving and coming to the state.
“I smiled of course,” Christopher Parker from Vermont Rail Action Network said of the announcement. “It’s something we’re looking forward to.”
As people begin to travel again, local experts in the railroad industry say the return of Amtrak services will be important as Vermont’s economy tries to rebuild from losses suffered during the pandemic.
“I think the date they’ve chosen is reasonable. I wish it had been sooner but I fully understand,” Carl Fowler, Retired President of Rail Travel Adventures, said. “I think there’s going to be tremendous pent-up demand for travel within the United States this summer.”
Many are hoping this could mean an increase in tourism coming back to the Green Mountain State.
“Only 45 percent of New York City people drive so if we want those people to come to Vermont we need a way for them to get here,” Parker said.
The return of the services could also mean Vermonters will be able to take a trip themselves, whether they’re leaving the state for business or to reconnect with loved ones.
“People come here and even if they’re not taking the train every day or every month, their decision to move to Vermont may be influenced by the fact that they can reach their grandchildren or their clients,” Parker said.
For other Vermonters, the return of the Amtrak trains means easier and more affordable transportation to other parts of the state.
“You can take the Vermonter for example from northern Vermont down to White River Junction for the day and go to an appointment at the VA hospital in White River Junction,” Fowler said. “There was substantial ridership that did that.”
Covid-19 protocols put in place by Amtrak will be required for all travelers.
