In this blog I have chronicled some of the great ways Amtrak has slowly introduced new technologies and features within the nationwide national passenger rail system. In addition to the ample legroom, extremely comfortable seats I also highlighted the great bike accessibility to the California Corridor line linking the Bay Area to our state capitol in Sacramento.
In November of last year, Amtrak California announced the addition of Wi-Fi on its Capital Corridor, San Jaoquin, and Pacific Surfiner routes. The next month Amtrak unveiled their new e-ticketing system on their Downeaster line linking Boston to Maine. This new system allows Amtrak customers the ability to change their reservations at the last minute. It will also give Amtrak the ability to have an updated passenger manifest at all times.
The unique environment of train operations which is unlike airlines, allows for passengers to get on or off at any number of stations along the way, making difficult to keep track of not only the passenger manifest but the seating arrangements as well. With airlines, their is only one check in point to collect this essential data but on trains, with multiple train cars and conductors collecting the ticket information, the task is trickier.
Conductors along the Capitol Corridor line (from San Jose to Sacramento) and Downeaster line have been using the new systems since November according to the New York Times article. This new e-ticketing system is currently available on the iPhone system but will soon be introduced on the Android system as well.
Let us know what you think.
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