Hugely popular Pope Francis is visiting the U.S. in September, and Amtrak says its Northeast Corridor services are “uniquely suited” to carry passengers to and from various locations the Pope will be visiting in New York, Philadelphia and Washington and “is taking steps to prepare for an influx of rail passengers” by providing extra trains with added capacity to meet the anticipated demand.
With more than one million people expected to attend an outdoor Mass and other events associated with the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia on Sept. 26 and 27, additional frequencies and special stops will be added that weekend. “Philadelphia 30th Street Station is expected to be a focal point for regional transportation, and passengers should expect large crowds and some non-typical station procedures,” Amtrak said.
Numerous operation changes will be implemented. “With some minor exceptions, operations in and around New York and Washington will be normal, although passengers should expect large crowds during the Pope’s scheduled events,” Amtrak said. “Service will operate on a normal weekday schedule Monday, Sept. 21 through Friday, Sept. 25, with extra coaches added to some trains to accommodate additional demand. Sept. 25, through Monday, Sept. 28, reservations will be required on all Acela Express, Northeast Regional and Keystone Service trains. Amtrak will operate Philadelphia-centric ‘Event Extra’ service on Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27, in some cases utilizing equipment from our commuter partners (NJ Transit and SEPTA)
To better ensure efficient train movements for all NEC users, Amtrak will suspend maintenance activities, pre-position rescue equipment to quickly respond to any disabled trains, and continuously share real-time dispatching information with our regional transit agency partners.”
At Philadelphia 30th Street Station, some special procedures will be implemented “to ensure public safety and aid in crowd control. In addition to Amtrak and NJ Transit, SEPTA service to/from Levittown, Marcus Hook, Wilmington, Croydon and Cornwells Heights, will operate from the lower-level/main concourse. Additional station personnel and ambassadors will be on hand to assist, but passengers should expect long lines and crowded conditions.”
In addition, taxi service and rental cars will not be available to/from 30th Street Station through the weekend. “Station restrooms will be closed to the public but facilities will be available outside,” Amtrak said. “Food court eateries will be open and accessible from the Market Street entrance.”