Three Amtrak routes went off-track Tuesday when the train company canceled the long-distance routes in anticipation of a railway strike later this week.
The three canceled routes head westward, including the Southwest Chief route from Chicago to Los Angeles, the Empire Builder route from Chicago to Seattle, and the California Zephyr route from Chicago to San Francisco. A portion of a fourth route that saw cancellations heads eastward from Los Angeles to San Antonio in a portion of the Texas Eagle route.
TIME RUNNING OUT TO AVOID RAIL STRIKE THREATENING ‘SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC DAMAGE’
“While we are hopeful that parties will reach a resolution, Amtrak has now begun phased adjustments to our service in preparation for a possible freight rail service interruption later this week,” Amtrak said in a statement Monday.
The move is designed to help prevent passengers from getting stranded because of the strike, the company said. No Amtrak employees or the company are taking part in the strike. However, the strike is expected to affect intercity passenger rail service, which could affect travel via Amtrak outside of the company’s Northeast Corridor.
Amtrak owns over 600 miles of track in its Northeast Corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston, but 70% of the remaining 21,000 miles of track used by Amtrak are owned by freight railroads, according to the Association of American Railroads.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Approximately 60,000 freight rail employees are expected to strike as early as Friday over higher pay, more generous paid leave, broader working conditions, and renegotiation of strict attendance policies. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and President Joe Biden have urged the employees and freight companies to reach a deal, with experts anticipating the shutdown could cost the U.S. economy as much as $2 billion a day.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to Amtrak for comment.
