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Orbitz for Business, the corporate travel group of Orbitz Worldwide Inc., has formed a partnership with SilverRail Technologies to enable Orbitz for Business customers to plan and book U.S.-based Amtrak rides online.

Orbitz now is the first major online travel company to announce integrated, online rail capabilities for U.S. business travelers, Orbitz officials said in a prepared statement.

"Many of our customers in regions like the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. have a preference for rail over short distance flights," said Orbitz for Business President Frank Petito. "In order to better serve these customers, the SilverRail partnership allows Orbitz for Business to deliver a more comprehensive set of travel products with the scale and flexibility to expand our rail offerings in the future."

Although the online rail booking service pertains only to U.S. destinations, Orbitz plans to expand the service to Canada and Europe.

"Online connectivity among rail operators, passengers and travel distributors has traditionally lagged behind other travel services," said Aaron Gowell, chief executive officer and founder of SilverRail Technologies, an online search and booking firm specializing in passenger rail. "SilverRail's technology platform is bringing rail distribution back on par with air travel and other modes of transportation."