PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Amtrak kicked off the first day of paid service for its new NextGen Acela high-speed trains at 30th Street Station on Thursday morning.
The trains are sleeker and designed for faster, more reliable service along the busy Northeast Corridor — between Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.
The previous trains went up to 150 mph, but the new line can reach 160 mph. Passengers can expect wider seats, improved lighting and a smoother ride.
Amtrak Director of Government Affairs Craig Shulz said the new Acela represents the most significant investment in America’s high-speed rail in two decades.
“If you ride the train, take the Acela down to Washington, up to New York, you’ve been riding the same train for about 20 years,” he said. “We’re very excited about the fact that we’re introducing the next generation of that equipment, and so today is the first day of revenue service and we’re really excited for people to get experience this.”
The train also features free high-speed 5G Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, and an upgraded café menu with fresh food and beverages.
Since it was first introduced in 2000, Amtrak said more than 69 million customers have traveled on Acela.