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 ON OCTOBER 17, 2006, AMTRAK WILL INITIATE A NATIONAL FARE
 INCREASE OF BETWEEN 5 PERCENT AND 7 PERCENT OR $1 TO $3 FOR AN
 AVERAGE ONE-WAY FARE.  OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, FARES
 HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED ON SELECT TRAINS, BUT A SYSTEM-WIDE
 ADJUSTMENT HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE SINCE LAST OCTOBER.
 .
 FARES ARE NOT BEING ADJUSTED ON ACELA EXPRESS, OR ON THE
 STATE-SUPPORTED TRAINS IN MAINE (DOWNEASTER), WISCONSIN,
 ILLINOIS, MISSOURI, OKLAHOMA, WASHINGTON AND OREGON.
 .
 IN THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR, AMTRAK WILL CONTINUE TO INDEX ITS
 MULTI-RIDE OR SMART PASS MONTHLY FARES AT 50 PERCENT DISCOUNT
 AND, FOR TEN-RIDE TICKETS, A 20 PERCENT DISCOUNT.  THIS
 DISCOUNT LEVEL KEEPS AMTRAK IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL
 LAW PROHIBITING DISCOUNTS LARGER THAN 50 PERCENT.
 .
 AMTRAK'S 50 PERCENT DISCOUNT FOR MONTHLY TICKETS REMAINS THE
 LARGEST DISCOUNT OFFERED AMONG COMMUTER RAILROADS.

 HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL NOTICE TO COMMUTERS,
 THE SMART PASS FARES WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 16.
 AMTRAK IS ALERTING COMMUTERS OF THE FARE ADJUSTMENT THROUGH
 PASSENGER SERVICE NOTICES AT NEC STATIONS.
 THE FARE INCREASE IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AMTRAK
 OPERATIONS WHILE MEETING CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED EXPENSES IN
 THE COMING YEAR.
--Source: Amtrak

 The additional frequency on the Quincy route will be known as the Carl Sandburg and both it and the current Illinois Zephyr will carry new train numbers.

Reservations and tickets for the Carl Sandburg (Trains 381 & 382) and Illinois Zephyr (Trains 380 & 383) are now available nationwide through Amtrak.com, by calling 800-USA-RAIL, using Quik-Trak automated ticket machines, visiting a staffed Amtrak station, or through select travel agents.

These state-supported trains will operate as reserved service, with the lowest fares ordinarily available with the most advanced purchase, and offer food and beverages in the café car. Ten-ride tickets will also be available, as will Business class in a two-seats/aisle/one-seat configuration with leg rests, foot rests and other amenities for a slight surcharge.

Gov. Blagojevich recently announced the new schedules, train numbers and ticket availability for the state-sponsored Chicago-Carbondale trains, the new Saluki (Trains 390 & 391) and the current Illini (Trains 392 & 393). Starting October 30, daily train service between Chicago and Carbondale is increasing from two round-trips to three round-trips, two of them state-supported. Source: Amtrak.

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