Amtrak Slashes Northeast Fares By One-Quarter

Amtrak announced it is cutting fares by 25 percent on several Eastern trains this summer in an attempt to boost demand for the season amidst the current economic recession. The discount runs from June 2 through September 3 and applies to regional trains on the Northeast Corridor which runs from Washington, D.C. to Boston. The discount also is available from Washington, D.C. to Newport News, VA.

In addition, Amtrak is extending a February price cut on its higher-speed Acela service, which runs from Washington to Boston. Passengers must make reservations two weeks in advance to get the lower fares. Amtrak carried a record 28.7 million passengers last fiscal year, but ridership is down this year as businesses cut back on travel and because of lower gas prices.