Amtrak finds Valley Flyer popular with younger riders during pandemicDate: 2/18/2022 WESTERN MASS. – Amtrak’s Valley Flyer train service between Greenfield and New Haven, CT, hit a major bump during the pandemic. While ridership is still reduced by 30 percent, the train has returned to two round trips a day to New Haven.
“In April 2020 our ridership was about 3 percent, across the country, compared to what it was pre-pandemic,” said Jason Abrams, public relations manager for Amtrak. “Right now we’re around 70 percent, so it’s improved a lot, but it’s not back to where we were in February 2019.”
As ridership fell in early 2020, one run of the Valley Flyer was canceled. Amtrak and MassDepartment of Transportation (MassDOT) officials restored that run on July 26, 2021 – but something had changed. According to Abrams, train travel won lots of younger fans.
“We’re finding that millennials and GenZs really enjoyed taking the train during the pandemic,” Abrams said. They were “seeing the benefits of traveling by train, having Wi-Fi, being able to use their phone, get up and walk around, go to the café car. You’re not stuck in traffic.”
Abrams observed that as residents grow more sensitized to their carbon footprint they see trains as the most sustainable and flexible form of transportation. Riders may bring cats or dogs, up to 20 pounds in weight, on the Valley Flyer. All trains are wheelchair accessible. Riders may travel with more luggage, two personal pieces and two carry-ons, without the charges added by most airlines. Bicycles under fifty pounds can be checked baggage or carried on.
Travelers in Greenfield, passing through the John W. Olver Transit Center, cannot purchase tickets at the station. Riders have to buy tickets online, or at a travel agency. According to the Amtrak website, tickets are available at Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, 800-USA-RAIL, and at the Quik-Trak kiosks at most stations.
There is still no ticket kiosk at the Olver Transit Center. Abrams commented that most ticket purchases are made online, especially with the new younger ridership.
“A high percentage of tickets are purchased through mobile devices, an app or a computer,” Abrams said. “We are implementing new kiosks across the country ... but people are still purchasing their tickets online and that trend has continued to go up.”
At first glance, train transportation might appear expensive. A visit to a fan website, trainsinthevalley.org, reveals the key to reducing train travel costs is to buy tickets more than 14 days in advance for an off-peak trip. According to the website, as of Jan. 2, 2022, a Super Saver ticket from Greenfield to Springfield costs $14. Greenfield to New Haven is twice that amount at $28. Greenfield to New York City starts at $44, Philadelphia would be $48, and a one-way off-peak fare to Washington, DC, is just $57.
“We are pleased to return additional Valley Flyer service in Western Massachusetts, as now residents and visitors can see friends and family they have missed,” said Amtrak Vice President Ray Lang. “As people feel comfortable traveling again ... we are excited to welcome them back onboard.”
The primary purpose of the Valley Flyer is to give residents of the Connecticut River Valley, the Knowledge Corridor, better travel options to points south, east and west. Abrams likened it to a vascular network of blood vessels “because it opens you up to the possibilities.”
“Traveling to New Haven,” Abrams said, “you can transfer to a train that’ll take you to New York, then from New York you can go to Miami, to New Orleans, anywhere in between, or to Boston or Albany. If you’re really ambitious you can go all the way to San Francisco.”
The Valley Flyer may not travel at night, but sleeper cars are a feature of Amtrak trains.
A Viewliner sleeping car features two beds per room on one level, private bath and personal assistant.
A Superliner comes with the same features, but has two levels of accommodations. Meals are included without charge.
Jacquelyn Goddard, MassDOT’s assistant secretary of marketing and communications, said any changes to the Valley Flyer’s stops or schedule will be considered after the pilot period ends.
“The Valley Flyer pilot passenger train service offers another transportation option along the Knowledge Corridor,” Goddard said. “MassDOT and Amtrak will be evaluating ridership levels, and other factors that influence service, near the end of the pilot, to determine next steps.”
Information on Valley Flyer can be found at amtrak.com.
|
