Amtrak addresses Wi-Fi service for Midwest routes, opens new lounge at L.A.'s Union Station

Amtrak will expand its AmtrakConnect® cellular-based Wi-Fi service on eight Midwest corridors by early February 2014, the railroad announced last week.

Amtrak is installing the equipment on rail cars under contracts with the states of Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin.

The service will be provided on the following routes in Illinois: Lincoln Service, Chicago-Springfield-St. Louis; Illini/Saluki, Chicago-Champaign-Carbondale; and Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg, Chicago-Galesburg Quincy. The targeted Michigan routes are the Wolverine Service; Chicago-Ann Arbor-Detroit-Pontiac; Blue Water, Chicago-East Lansing-Port Huron; and Pere Marquette, Chicago-Holland-Grand Rapids.

Also slated to receive Wi-Fi is the Missouri River Runner from St. Louis-Jefferson City-Kansas City, Mo., and the Hiawatha Service between Milwaukee and Chicago.

Amtrak expects to announce a specific completion date for the services next month.

Meanwhile, Amtrak has officially opened its new Metropolitan Lounge at Los Angeles Union Station. The lounge is available to Amtrak sleeping-car passengers, Pacific Surfliner business class passengers, with same-day tickets and Amtrak Guest Rewards members.