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6/24/2020
Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation on June 29 will restore the daily Pere Marquette round-trip service between Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Chicago in response to anticipated ridership demand.
This Amtrak Midwest service was temporarily suspended March 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The service will originate in Chicago on June 29 and Trains 370 and 371 will operate starting June 30, Amtrak officials said in a press release.
Meanwhile, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) on June 29 will add four trains to Tri-Rail’s commuter service as ridership ticks up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SFRTA will increase hourly service during morning and afternoon rush hours to accommodate more riders. In June, ridership gradually increased to about 200 riders per week, SFRTA officials said in a press release.
This service adjustment marks the second schedule change since March 28 when the agency modified Tri-Rail service due to the pandemic.
Tri-Rail continues to run an amended schedule, which now will consist of 26 trains on weekdays with no changes on the 12-train weekend schedule. Tri-Rail trains have been running as five-car sets since May 22, to assist passengers with social distancing.
A full staff of onboard security officers also will begin to return to their posts on June 29. SFRTA previously reduced the number of officers due to running fewer trains.
“Adding train service helps us absorb more riders and our security officers can assist passengers to keep social distancing,” said SFRTA Executive Director Steven Abrams in a press release.
SFRTA continues to monitor daily ridership to determine its next adjustments, agency officials said. The agency also continues to disinfect trains and stations at elevated levels and maintain seats taped off to encourage social distancing.