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Rail Travel News is a twice-monthly print publication, published since Dec 10, 1970.
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PO Box 9007,
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In its Strategic Reform Initiatives Amtrak states that it continues to believe that long distance trains play a valuable role, including "Serving as a foundation of a future rail development program; Forming the basis for, and connections to, emerging state-supported corridors; and Providing an important transportation link for many underserved rural communities and regions across the country."

Amtrak notes that earlier efforts to cut routes or scale service (e.g., 1979 DOT restructuring and 1994 Amtrak plan) "have generally been ineffective." It points ou that under current labor agreements, "near-term savings from route eliminations are generally offset by labor protection costs."

As part of Amtrak's proposal to improve long-distance trains to increase revenues, it will "relaunch" the Empire Builder in August to "evaluate the potential for a series of service enhancements designed to improve financial performance through increased revenues."

How will the Empire Builder change? Amtrak will: deploy the first of the refurbished and upgraded coach, lounge, sleeper and diner equipment from its capital overhaul program. It will require a new customer service training program for all frontline Empire Builder employees. It will "enhance" services and amenities, including lounge car service. And it will introduce special marketing to promote the new service.

Amtrak said it will measure the success of these changes not only through ridership and revenue results, but also through on-board and on-line surveys, and it will apply lessons learned to other trains throughout the system to improve revenues.

Amtrak will also consider a pilot program to outsource premier sleeping and dining car services to outside operators, while Amtrak continued to operate the locomotive and coach service, with minimal food service.

Outsourcing will also extend to some station services: "Amtrak will work with local businesses to sell tickets and perform customer services for trains that generally come through once a day in each direction."

Amtrak will try to improve on-time performance through incentives with the host freight railroads. 

Performance standards for long-distance routes will be adopted to "evaluate and determine the future of each long distance train, as well as prospective new long distance routes." Amtrak noted that "Congress at all times retains the option of funding the operating cost coverage 'gaps' on any routes scheduled for discontinuance.