America’s fastest train just got even faster. Amtrak’s Acela train has increased its speed by 10 miles an hour – up to 160 mph — which is expected to trim 15 minutes off a trip between D.C. and Boston. Additionally, the new trains can carry 380 passengers, 25% more than current fleets, while using 20% less energy. The $2.4 billion modernization effort continued throughout the pandemic, keeping much-needed jobs alive during the crisis. These upgrades will help with a more efficient economy, getting more passengers to their destination in faster times, but will also allow Amtrak to be more climate-friendly due to less energy consumption. Amtrak has also redesigned airflow throughout the trains to address concerns of the coronavirus lingering in the air.
Photo courtesy of Amtrak.
