Corporate go-getters in the Northeast Corridor are hopping the train these days—almost more than they’re flying airline shuttles.
Amtrak’s Acela Express has seen a steady increase in passengers in the last six months. It’s even competing neck-and-neck with the US Airways and Delta Air Lines shuttles, according to a report from the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Acela Express provides service between Boston and Washington, D.C., with stops in Providence, R.I., New York, Newark, N.J., Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
Ease of travel, comfort, and amenities such as electrical outlets for laptop computers and cell phones, and several tables stationed throughout the train, are given much credit for the rise in ridership.
Companies are even starting to see the train as an easy on-the-go meeting venue.
"We’ve had a lot of interest from companies to hold meetings on board the train," says Karen Dunn, Amtrak spokeswoman, "especially after the ASAE Convention in Philadelphia last year."
Later this month, Xerox employees will have exclusive occupancy of one car. About 60 Xerox employees will leave Boston at 7:15 a.m. and arrive in New York at 10:42 a.m. The return trip starts at 6 p.m.
"It’s a new market for us and we’re just beginning to tap into it," says Dunn.
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