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Beginning March 5, Washington, D.C., will be less than two-and-a-half hours from New York City. That’s when National Railroad Passenger Corp. plans to introduce two more high-speed trains — including one non-stop run between the cities and another Boston-New York roundtrip.


"The timing couldn’t be better for American consumers, who have been confronted with longer delays in the air and higher prices at the gas pump," said Stan Bagley, president of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, in a prepared statement. "Travelers are choosing the train in record numbers and many first-time customers are coming back for more."


Since Amtrak introduced Acela Express service last December, ridership has increased steadily: February’s ridership has averaged more than 300 passengers per train while revenue is 8 percent ahead of projections.


As the Bombardier/Alstom manufacturing consortium delivers additional trains throughout the summer, Amtrak plans to increase service, culminating in 19 daily roundtrips between New York and Washington, and 10 daily roundtrips between New York and Boston. A total of 20 trains are planned for the high-speed fleet.


Amtrak also plans to increase Metroliner service between New York and Washington. Saturday travelers will have a fifth roundtrip train added, while Sunday’s schedule will increase from eight to 10 roundtrips.