FYI, News

Modified schedules affect some weekday Wolverine trains beginning Sept. 9, 2013

Mondays through Thursdays,
Only September 9-12, 16-19 and 23-26, 2013

amtrakskedchange

The first of three phases of a Michigan track improvement project for the 2013 construction season begins on September 9. While it will cause some service and schedule changes, the result will be improved ride quality and more reliable service for the Wolverine Service and Blue Water trains. These improvements are part of the Accelerated Rail Program being carried out by Amtrak for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

Eastbound Train 350: Mondays through Thursdays

• Train 350 will terminate at Jackson. Bus service will be provided between Jackson, Pontiac and all intermediate stations. The bus will operate according to the train’s schedules

• In addition, Train 350 will depart all from Chicago 20 minutes earlier (at 7:00 a.m.), and will operate 20 minutes earlier Jackson and all intermediate stations.

Westbound Train 351: Mondays through Thursdays

Train 351 will depart Pontiac 45 minutes earlier (at 5:00 a.m.), and will operate 45 minutes earlier to Chicago and all intermediate stations.

Westbound Train 353: Mondays through Thursdays

• Train 353 will originate at Jackson and operate to Chicago and all intermediate stations.

• Bus service will be provided between Pontiac, Jackson and all intermediate stations. The bus will depart all stations 30 minutes earlier than the published train times.

Trains 352, 354 and 355: Possible Delays

Trains 352, 354 and 355 will operate as scheduled, but may encounter delays of approximately 30 minutes.

Weekend Service – Possible Delays: All Wolverine Service trains will operate as scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but may encounter delays of approximately 30 minutes.

MDOT is leading a three-state effort to improve the 300-mile corridor from Pontiac and Detroit across Michigan, through northwest Indiana and to Chicago. The result of these and future infrastructure improvements will allow Amtrak trains in mid-Michigan to operate at speeds up to 110 miles per hour, as they do now for 80 miles in Western Michigan and part of Indiana. This is currently the longest stretch of higher-speeds in the Midwest, with the Wolverine Service and Blue Water trains carrying passengers at the highest U.S. speeds available outside the Northeast.

Reservation and train status information is available on Amtrak.com, Amtrak’s  free mobile apps and at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).