Amtrak Launches New "Pacific Surfliner" Passenger Rail Service; More Than $125 Million Investment in New Equipment And Service For California

Business Wire, June 1, 2000

Business Editors, Transportation Writers

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2000

Amtrak today introduced new Pacific Surfliner service along its San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo passenger rail corridor, replacing the San Diegans. The Pacific Surfliner will feature nine new state-of-the-art trains with enhanced guest amenities and upgraded stations along the route. To celebrate the arrival of Pacific Surfliner a whistle-stop celebration tour between San Diego and Santa Barbara, which included festive station events at San Diego, Oceanside, Santa Ana, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, introduced this contemporary new equipment to southern California.

"More than just a brand new name, equipment or stations, Pacific Surfliner is a significant step in upgrading and expanding rail service throughout the state," said Amtrak President and CEO George D. Warrington. "Amtrak's investment in Southern California's passenger rail corridor is another milestone toward our goal of becoming a customer-focused and financially-sound business dedicated to providing Californians with a superior travel experience."

Amtrak's $125 million investment in eight new trains is the single-largest investment ever in any state. The State of California recently purchased an additional trainset to bring the total number of new trains to nine--enough to re-fleet the entire corridor. The new trainsets will be phased into service along the corridor approximately every six to eight weeks, with all nine in service by spring 2001.

Contemporary equipment, enhanced service and improved features represent Amtrak's drive toward excellence. As part of its national customer service standards initiative, all of Amtrak's 24,000 employees, from in-station and on-board service employees to behind the scene mechanics and reservation agents have recently undertaken extensive training to deliver improved customer service.

"Introducing all new trains throughout the entire corridor will ensure that our guests will be able to expect the same world-class service on board state-of-the-art equipment each time they ride Amtrak trains," said Amtrak West President Gil Mallery. "Rail is a vital component of California's transportation system and by providing exceptional service, Amtrak hopes to entice people out of their cars and onto Amtrak, helping to reduce congestion along the heavily traveled corridor."

Since 1990, the State of California and Amtrak have invested more than $500 million in the Southern California and Central Coast route. The service improvements include upgraded tracks for better on-time performance, faster travel times, new and refurbished stations and increased service. In April, Governor Gray Davis proposed to continue developing passenger rail service with about a $480 million investment in the Southern California corridor. Last week, Amtrak released a five-year report proposing $1.3 billion of projects in the Southern California corridor (see www.amtrakwest.com/califuture to access the five-year report).

The new five-car, double-decker trains will seat 427 and consist of one Pacific Business Class Car, one Coach/Cafe Car, two Coach Cars, and one Coach/Baggage/Cab Car. Customers will be able to choose from a variety of service levels, including reserved Pacific Business Class and unreserved Coach service. The trains are being manufactured by ALSTOM, and powered by new General Motors Electro-Motive Division F59PHI locomotives. The trains will be maintained in Los Angeles at Amtrak's new locomotive service center.

"The Pacific Surfliner trainset rivals the best European trains for passenger comfort, safety and amenities," said Michel Moreau, president of ALSTOM Transport Sector. "It's a tribute to the engineering, craft and management skills of ALSTOM's American workers, as well as to the support and expertise brought to the project by Amtrak."

Amtrak conducted extensive research with the people most familiar with its equipment, its employees, to help guide the design of the new trains, services and amenities for its guests. In the coach-cafe car, guests will enjoy upgraded and healthier menu selections, featuring local wines and microbrews. Business and leisure travelers can take advantage of outlets for laptop computers at every seat pair and at-seat audio and video in Pacific Business Class. Guests can relax in wide comfortable seats, gaze out the large panoramic windows, receive train information on digital information display boards, stow luggage in large overhead compartments, take advantage of bicycle and surfboard racks and easily board the train through electric sliding doors. All trains are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

To complement the improved on-board service and amenities, stations have been refurbished in Santa Barbara, Grover Beach and Surf and automated ticket machines are being installed for greater customer convenience. Later this year, through a deal with Motorola (R), Amtrak will introduce a new automated fare collection system, replacing current manual ticket collection.