I took a few last glimpses outside the window and wondered what views Id miss as we passed by in the darkness. She said she was impressed with Amtraks COVID-19 precautions. 00:31) (CG: DR. BOB ARNOT, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT) 10:25 THE REASON WE STILL HAVE HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF CASES EVERY SINGLE DAY IT'S AS IF PEOPLE WERE WALKING INTO BURNING BUILDINGS AND WE DIDN'T HAVE SMOKE DETECTORS DR. BO ARNOT IS A LONGTIME MEDICAL JOURNALIST AND AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT, WHO TREATED EBOLA PATIENTS IN AFRICA. Monitoring carbon dioxide levels, getting more fresh outdoor air in spaces key. We have studied, analyzed, and made improvements to the Amtrak travel experience from beginning to end, focusing on the safety and health of our people and travelers.". If you happen to be seated close to a person who is actively shedding the virus, especially if it is a long flight or that person is not wearing a mask, there is a higher chance that you will get the disease. Dr. Arnot said he has submitted a proposal to the Biden Administration to mandate carbon dioxide meters in public indoor spaces like bars and restaurants. Siemens says these SC-44 Charger locomotives have a top speed of 125 mph, although they cant roll nearly that fast just yet between the Motor City and the Windy City. People refers to how many different people will you be coming in contact with. In fact, the whole room looked like what I would have expected to find in a first-class suite on an international flight back in the 1970s (if they made them this big). "Two of our new buses have an air purification, a U.V. (DR BOB ZOOM) 18:02 FUNDAMENTALLY YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE CLEAN OUTDOOR AIR, INDOORS. I would only travel by train right now if I could get a private room she said. Shorter ridesespecially those under roughly 15 minutespose a lower risk than long ones. Jan. 14, 2022. 05:49 CERTAINLY WITH THE SUMMER COMING WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN -- AND I'M SURE THAT WILL MAKE OUR PASSENGERS FEEL BETTER ABOUT HAVING THE FRESH AIR 05:56 THAT, IT SEEMS, MAY BE THE KEY MOVING FORWARD. Amtrak has canceled about two dozen trains, blaming bad weather and COVID-19 cases among workers. Of course, you may have good reasons for getting away from home, and putting one foot in front of the other just isnt going to get you very far. These companies have also stopped offering car pools (except in Ubers case for people who work together), so passengers are only exposed to the driver and anyone in their own party. But if a person with the virus is wearing a mask, the face covering will catch those droplets. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Everything Id read so far about riding Amtrak in the time of COVID-19 seemed to rank long-distance train travel as safe, smart, and dare I say even relaxing. "It's as if people were walking into burning buildings and we didn't have smoke detectors", "We know this is an airborne virus. In lieu of offering everyone private rooms, Murray says that assigned (spaced-out) seating is a smart step for Amtrak to take to protect passengers and allow for social distancing. "MEASURE THE AIRDr. "We have been waylaid by the CDC with 'wash all this stuff,'" Dr. Arnot said. Ive made a habit of giving every hotel room or Airbnb Ive stayed in during the pandemic a solid wipe down for my own sanity and security. In Vermont, Dr. Arnot advised some of the local school districts on how to improve their air quality."We were at 2,000 PPM for the local classrooms here, and we opened the window and we were at . Its all about how many people you come in contact with during your journey. The affected routes include some trains in the Northeast Corridor and a New Orleans route. With COVID-19 reaching the most dangerous levels the U.S. has seen since the pandemic began, the country faces a problematic holiday season. Still, a handful of case studies have found that limited transmission can take place onboard. There was also a metal utility sink, molded plastic wall, and an airplane-sized bathroom with a handheld shower nozzle over the toilet. I noticed signage stating that passengers and staff must wear masks at all times unless in the privacy of their own rooms had replaced Amtrak promotional posters on the walls. An onboard filtration system continuously refreshes the space every four to five minutes, removing air from the car's interior and replacing it with new, conditioned, external air. While there are certainly ways to heed caution by rail, If you can drive, drive," Lofgren says. Amtrak officials documented the late arrivals with detailed records of freight train interference, showing a chronic problem of passenger trains being forced to wait while freight trains crawled ahead. Phone calls are preferred if the request is urgent. Oh, look at that! Her voice sounded like she had just won the lottery. For decades since, the system struggled to get funding and to upgrade service on key routes like the Wolverine, Amtraks line that links Chicago to Detroit, then runs north through Oakland County to Royal Oak, Troy and Pontiac. This finding assumes the infected passenger is wearing a surgical mask, however, and it does not account for the dangers involved in removing the mask for meals or talking or in moving about on the plane. Offers may be subject to change without notice. "We're investing in some additional CO2 sensors, we're setting those CO2 sensors to the lowest possible level, which is ensuring that out systems are exchanging air, at the fastest possible rate," Superintendent Heather Perry said in our report on schools last August. "With the sort of substandard masks most of us wear, if you don't have good ventilation, I just think you don't have a chance." In addition, in a city system (as opposed to a long-distance ride), buses make frequent stops. MediaRelations@Amtrak.com U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak told a U.S. House of Representatives panel on Thursday it expects to be forced to temporarily cut some service in January because of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, notes that an Amtrak coach changes the air about 12 to 15 times per hour, and supplies 15 pounds of fresh air per minute per. An alternative option for passengers in the coach class is to choose seats near train doors that open during stops. He has also been recommending face shields to patients. Still, Lofgren reminds us that we need to be vigilant about maintaining six feet of space. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so. It is worth noting that masks are not mandatory in the dining car when seated for meals, nor are passengers required to wear masks elsewhere while they are eating or drinking. If the tests go well, METRO may add the purification to the rest of the fleet. The most important thing we can do to keep passengers and employees safe is the use of face coverings, says Amtraks Kuhnen. AMTRAK Covid-19 Practices Puts Passengers and Workers at Risk News provided by. A traveler tested negative for covid-19 before a flight. All of those situations increase your risk of coming into contact with the virus and picking it up. A Free Press article last year documented that Amtraks trains had become routinely late across much of the nation, with Michigan trains the very latest. Why a Daily Dose of Awe Might Be the New Prozac, What 35-Year-Olds Should Know About Perimenopause. In a letter dated Jan. 22, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn, who took the top job last spring, sent a letter to each member of Congress, citing Amtraks 50th anniversary this year. At the very least, it does no harm to wear a mask. (CG: DENISE BECK, GREATER PORTLAND METRO) 04:04 TWO OF OUR NEW BUSSES HAVE AN AIR PURIFICATION, A UV LIGHT FILTER -- AND WE ARE TESTING THAT. The new coaches, built in the U.S. by the German multinational company Siemens, will be pulled by almost-new Siemens Charger locomotives, which Amtrak began introducing in the Midwest in 2018 and 2019, according to Amtrak officials. We have no middle seats, so each passenger either is seated beside a companion or you have an empty seat next to you.. Since then, ridership crept partway back to its. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. In late January, airline executives and employees told reporters they welcomed a new executive order by President Joe Biden, who ordered mask-wearing on all airplane flights as well as on other public transit that crosses state lines. This article was published more than2 years ago. Each is said to boast a 4,400-horsepower diesel engine made by manufacturer Cummins in Indiana, which generates electricity that powers four electric motors to turn the drive wheels. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. However, Amtrak doesnt allow passengers to open windows any longer because of safety regulations and the central air conditioning. To maximize space between passengers and manage flow, Amtrak is encouraging customers to arrive 30 minutes before departure (60 minutes if they need ticketing or baggage assistance). Texas Eagle Train 21 which departed Chicago (CHI) on 2/27, is currently being delayed in Taylor (TAY) due to law enforcement activity ahead. Passport wait times are up again. 09:30 PLUS YOU KNOW THE TRAIN STOPS, THE DOORS OPEN. Gina Suh, head of the Mayo Clinics travel clinic, says train travel isnt too dissimilar from air travel. .css-ssumvd{display:block;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.0625rem;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.25;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-ssumvd:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-ssumvd{letter-spacing:0rem;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}What Spiritual Leaders Read Before Bed, Three Effective Stretches for Shoulder Pain, Five Blessings for When You Just Cant Deal, Break These Sleep Rules for Better Rest Tonight, This Unique Form of Therapy May Change Your Life, How I Found Community at a Fitness Studio. Those improvements allowed all Amtrak trains in that stretch to bump up their speeds. Another safety factor? However, this was not the case on my train. Those measures dont guarantee risk-free travel on board. A September report by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) examined the coronaviruss spread in cities around the globe that had robust public transit systems. Passengers traveling by Amtrak also must submit a health questionnaire, answering questions such as whether they have experienced COVID-19 symptoms within 24 hours of departure. 09:20 CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY SAYS IT'S THE BEST OVERALL INDICATOR OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE FRESH AIR IN THAT ROOM OR NOT 09:26 // BUTTED // 09:32 IN WASHINGTON STATE NOW IF YOU GOT TO A RESTAURANT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CO2 READING. "And that has really been something that I think has given people a sense of comfort. About five years ago, with ridership rising after the Great Recession ended, Amtrak launched a long-awaited modernization effort. Amtrak passengers can now see how full their train will be upon booking amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay safer on different forms of transportation. Bacterial co-infection is a major risk factor for death, intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation, according to a multi-center, retrospective cohort study published in the journal Critical Care and led by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers.. Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, has killed more than 6.3 million people worldwide. Riding Amtrak's Northeast Regional service from New York to Boston. 2023 Amtrak Media. So how does this translate into overall risk? At the same time, the rail service announced that it would begin strictly monitoring where passengers sit and how many board each car. Sleepy small towns and vast stretches of farmland also whizzed by outside, blurring into one another and introducing stories and characters that existed only for seconds. He adds, Weve seen this in studies of flu transmission on airplanes. While the flu virus doesnt necessarily spread throughout the entire plane, a sick person who expels the virus into the air is likely to spray contaminated droplets on the people in the seats around them. But as is the case with buses, these barriers would likely only protect against larger droplets, not aerosols. 00:27 THESE ARE OUR MOST SOPHISTICATED INTERIOR SYSTEMS, AND THERE DESIGNED TO CYCLE AIR ON AVERAGE 44 TIMES AN HOUR 00:3 AMTRAK EVEN PUT OUT THIS VIDEO -- HIGHLIGHTING THEIR SYSTEM -- SOMETHING THE DOWNEASTER SAYS HAS BEEN HELPFUL FOR RIDERS. Places like Washington State have already mandated live CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to try to mitigate the virus risk. "Maine is known as an outdoors place, as a fresh air place, as a natural place.". When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. "Youll have much more control over your environment and you can go a long way without being in contact with other people. (CG: PATRICIA QUINN, NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND PASSENGER RAIL AUTHORITY) 09:25 IT EXCHANGES SEVERAL TIMES AN HOUR. HE SAYS -- WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE AIR QUALITY OF THE SPACES WE'RE WALKING INTO. In fact, Dr. Arnot said he thought the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused too much early in the coronavirus pandemic response on cleaning surfaces (including the 19% of Americans who put bleach on their food to kill coronavirus) and not enough on lowering transmission through good ventilation for indoor spaces. Knowledge awaits. Last spring, Amtrak reduced its Wolverine service from three round trips daily to just one a day between Pontiac and Chicago. This is why its crucial that you put another layer of protection between you and everyone else on the train. You can isolate from really everyone, so that, of course, becomes essentially just as safe as driving in your car, Khabbaza said, although you may still have to encounter people if you go to the dining car or a communal restroom or when you exit the train. In fact, a recent MIT study found the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus could be as great whether a person is 6 feet or 60 feet away if the air is mixed. The virus is thought to be spread primarily by small droplets, called aerosols, that hang in the air and larger droplets that fall to the ground within six feet or so. Even worse, on the popular route from Chicago to Detroit to Pontiac, on-time performance occurred just 33% of the time. And thats when I got to work. For decades, improvements crept at the pace of a freight train inching through a switchyard. Amtrak put out a video highlighting its air filtration system, citing numbers that it cycles air through the train cars on average 44 times an hour, replacing with fresh air about every 5 minutes. With flying, COVID risk really comes down to how closely one sits to other people and for how long, whether or not everyone is wearing a mask, and how infectious any passengers are at the time. (BOARDING) THEY SAY RIDERS CAN ALSO EXPECT PLENTY OF FRESH AIR ON BOARD AS WE HEAD INTO SUMMER. The same goes while aboard their trains. "And that has really been something that I think has given people a sense of comfort.". Arnot said he has submitted a proposal to the Biden Administration to mandate carbon dioxide meters in public indoor spaces like bars and restaurants. As I approached the platform outside the sleeping car, I flashed my paperwork to a welcoming employee who managed to flash back a big smile, even with her face hidden behind a mask. The only reason I needed to leave my roomette was to use the restroom, a regularly cleaned compartment about the size of an airplane bathroom at the end of the hall. They even had a decent selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options. It sits in the air and moves over time and space," said Dr. Bob Arnot, a longtime medical journalist and infectious disease expert who treated Ebola patients in Africa in the early 2000s. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. They announced several times, you must wear the mask over your nose and mouth or we can kick you off, she said. However, too often, freight operators ignore the rule, according to Amtrak. Many airlines now require passengers to wear a mask during flights except for mealtimes, and some are blocking off middle seats to allow more distancing between people. Employees are also required to wear masks at all times, unless in their private rooms. While many parts of my experience failed to meet my expectations, there were others that exceeded them. I also realized that absolutely none of the windows on the train were open, and frequent reminders over the intercom made it clear that passengers were not to attempt to open them. Amtrak will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond by operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. As the coronavirus pandemic .css-9cezh6{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#E61957;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-9cezh6:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}rages on around the world, experts reiterate that the safest way to travel is via your own two feetpreferably using them to go on a nice, solitary walk around the block or through the woods. The data emerging from a handful of new research papers show that COVID-19 can build up in poorly ventilated spaces. AND WHERE COULD YOU POSSIBLY HAVE BETTER AIR THAN THE STATE OF MAINE -- YOU OUGHT TO BE SELLING IT (LAUGHS) 18:13 (BOTTARI LL TAG) WHILE I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH MAINE AIR WOULD SELL FOR, I DO KNOW, THOSE CO2 METERS COST ABOUT 100 DOLLARS FOR A HANDHELD ONE. East of Kalamazoo, where the track needs improving, Amtraks maximum speed is 79 mph. I felt pretty confident that Amtrak was on top of their pandemic protocols, a collection of new and enhanced cleaning and health safety measures that they developed with their full-time medical and health safety team who has experience on the frontlines of COVID-19. Wearing a mask also probably helps, and ride-share companies Uber and Lyft both require drivers and passengers to do so. 8 Supporting data . Even though the train runs parallel to certain sections of the freeway, these are vantage points that you can only witness from the train. One unexpected highlight of my train trip was the food both tasty and filling. I was excited. In fact, I had taken my inaugural journey on the bucket-list route back in early February, riding south from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo and then, a few days later, catching the train down again to the end of the line in Los Angeles. (Amtrak declined to answer my inquiries on whether or not this violated their mask policy, but they did say that refusing to wear a mask in a public space will result in prompt removal from the train.). One advantage to taking a train over a plane is that there are often fewer crowds and queues. But later reviews of the evidence suggest mass transit systems have not been major drivers of viral spread. Running on normal schedules are Amtraks other Michigan trains the Blue Water service that links Chicago to Battle Creek, Lansing, Flint and Port Huron; and the Pere Marquette between Chicago and Grand Rapids. Something to consider when weighing the pros and cons of booking a private room they all come with free meals, including select soft drinks and your first alcoholic drink, plus you have the option of eating off the dining car menu or going with something more casual in the caf car. We will continue to prioritize offering a modern, safe and reliable customer experience and preparing for what should be a monumental fiscal year 2022.. Most passengers were respectful of the rules, though there was the occasional person who used this rule as a way to get around wearing a mask for an extended period of time in other sections, like the observation car. Although its already twice the size of a roomette, the bedroom cabins are much more spacious than they appear online. WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is making over $1 billion available to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to support the railroad's activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the . Our timing was impeccable and lined up with the sunset. In my pre-pandemic life, I traveled for work two to three times a month a far cry from the one-mile radius I had confined myself to in Brooklyn between March and August. Ridership had dipped as low as 10% of normal volume compared to 2019 at the worst of the pandemic this winter, according to the Downeaster. But many planes have excellent high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that capture more than 99 percent of particles in the air, including microbes as SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID. Despite these rules, the woman directly behind me left her nose poking out over the top of her mask as she carried on an animated conversation with her traveler partner. Over the past few months, Ive taken four trains over three Amtrak routes, Wunderman told me. COVID-19 risk calculator: The safest and most dangerous things to do this holiday season; Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area; COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources . Your Health Quickly, Episode 1, COVID Poses Severe Risks during Pregnancy, Especially in Unvaccinated People, Survivors of Deadly Earthquakes Must Deal with Lasting Trauma, A New Map Tracks the World's Largest Glaciers, The Most Compelling Science Graphics of 2022, See How Much Climate Change Has Cost Different Countries. Increased Amtrak Police Department presence in stations and onboard trains to help enforce the federal transportation mask mandate. Usted puede o no saber si algn miembro de su hogar o una persona que visita su casa tiene COVID-19 u otros virus respiratorios. 2023 Scientific American, a Division of Springer Nature America, Inc. Since then, Amtrak has enhanced both its fleet and travel experiences to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. But those still wary of catching COVID-19 may wonder: Is taking a train safer? In a case study of a bus in China, a passenger with the novel coronavirus was able to infect many other riders, including those seated up to seven rows away. Yep, You Should Actually Get Outside for That Walk, 41 Cloth Face Masks You Can Buy Online Right Now, 50 Family Road Trips The Whole Gang Will Love, How To Deal With Uncertainty During Coronavirus. WATCH LIVE Chicago & Suburban Cook Co. North Suburbs West Suburbs South Suburbs NW Indiana There are a lot of bottlenecks at the airport that make it hard to practice good social distancing, like the ticket counter, the baggage check, security checkpoints, and the boarding queue, says Eric Lofgren, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology at Washington State University. When the train is approaching your stop, avoid crowding near the door and pay attention to crew announcements advising customers how and where to exit the train. Limiting rides to short trips may also be helpful. "We're investing in some additional CO2 sensors, we're setting those CO2 sensors to the lowest possible level, which is ensuring that out systems are exchanging air, at the fastest possible rate," Superintendent Heather Perry said in our report on schools last August.PUBLIC TRANSIT ADAPTSPublic transit systems have also been focusing on the ventilation component.Amtrak put out a video highlighting its air filtration system, citing numbers that it cycles air through the train cars on average 44 times an hour, replacing with fresh air about every 5 minutes. For the buses, ridership is down about 60% from pre-pandemic levels. However, my room did not have any signs of being newly cleaned, prompting me to do a thorough inspection and ultimately wipe everything down. Theres no filtration system in the world that will move air fast enough to get COVID-19 away from you before you can be exposed to it, says Lofgren. Regional service from New York to Boston buses make frequent stops retrieve information on your browser mostly... The CDC with 'wash all amtrak covid ventilation stuff, ' '' Dr. Arnot.... Keep passengers and employees safe is the use of face coverings, says Amtraks.... Miembro de su hogar o una persona que visita su casa tiene COVID-19 u otros virus.! A handheld shower nozzle over the toilet on behalf of WMTW-TV routes include trains. Police Department presence in stations and onboard trains to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 train... Helps, and an airplane-sized bathroom with a handheld shower nozzle over the past few months, Ive taken trains! Nozzle over the past few months, Ive taken four trains over three Amtrak routes, Wunderman told.. Information on your browser, mostly in the coach class is to choose seats near doors... Failed to meet my expectations, there were others that exceeded them show that can... 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Also a metal utility sink, molded plastic wall, and an airplane-sized bathroom with a shower... Central air conditioning option for passengers in the amtrak covid ventilation of cookies, a handful case. Food both tasty and filling Northeast Corridor and a New Orleans route something that I think has people. Mostly in the coach class is to choose seats near train doors that during! Even worse, on the popular route from Chicago to Detroit to Pontiac, on-time performance occurred just 33 of! Any longer because of safety regulations and the central air conditioning FUNDAMENTALLY you 'VE GOT to have CLEAN outdoor,. And onboard trains to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 New ENGLAND passenger rail ).