Amtrak has announced it is starting to launch new technology at New York Penn Station. It has begun supplying boarding information through push notifications on the Amtrak app. The brand is also increasing the number of personnel at the station to help customers and adding more cleanliness and convenience precautions.
“As we continue to prioritize health and safety in traveling, it’s important we provide our customers with new, innovative measures that promote physical distancing and contactless travel,” said Amtrak President and CEO Bill Flynn in an Amtrak press release. “We encourage all customers to download the app to receive our new app updates, which will prevent crowding inside the station waiting for the boarding information to post and provide an extra level of confidence to make travel safe and secure in addition to the many safety measures onboard our trains and at our stations.”
All customers that have downloaded their app as well as opted-in to notifications can receive their boarding information on their device. Customers that have also opted-in to Amtrak’s delay notifications will receive an e-mail or a text two hours before departure, which will summarize New York Penn Station’s cleaning procedures, restroom protocols, recommended arrival times, as well as boarding and ticketing information.
Amtrak has implemented new measures at New York Penn Station and other stations around the country, which include:
- Enhanced cleaning precautions – The brand has announced an improved cleaning frequency as well as added protective plastic barriers where they are necessary. High-touch areas like door handles, countertops, seating areas, and Quik-Trak kiosks are being cleaned with EPA-registered disinfectants, and NYP is being closed nightly from 12-5 a.m. to help do a complete disinfectant. Hand disinfectants are also being provided for customer use in all Amtrak areas of the station
- Social distancing – Markers have been displayed at its busiest stations, which will show safe distances in high traffic areas. Also, as mentioned above, protective plastic barriers have been installed at customer counters at its busiest stations.
- Face coverings – Amtrak requires every customer and employee to wear face masks or alternative facial coverings while in stations and onboard trans
- Station arrival – Customers have been encouraged to arrive at the station 30 minutes before departure and 60 minutes if they need a ticket or baggage aid
- Boarding policy – Priority boarding has been discontinued, so customers board when they ready and stay socially distanced
- Limited capacity – Amtrak is implementing capacity restrictions at ClubAcela
- Restroom updates – There will be an on-duty restroom attendant monitoring the number of people using the facility
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