Amtrak has launched a new programme to elevate the passenger experience at Washington Union Station.
The project will deliver improvements at the multimodal hub, with a focus on customer experience, comfort, and security. This will benefit passengers using Amtrak services, commuter rail, subway, streetcars, and buses.
This initiative follows a US District Court ruling granting Amtrak control over the management and operations of the station after a lawsuit initiated by Amtrak in April 2022.
“Washington Union Station is a major transportation hub, tourist destination, and a key asset of our core business. Amtrak has the experience and vision to create a safer and more welcoming environment for travellers and other visitors and ensure the vitality and longevity of this iconic building.”
Amtrak will now manage the day-to-day operations of the station, which it aims to revitalise through safety, security, repair, and maintenance. It will also manage leases for retail, office, advertising spaces, kiosks, and special events.
Planned improvements include adding more seating for customers, improving traffic flow in front of the station, and modifying boarding processes on the main concourse to reduce congestion.
An information booth will also be set up in the Main Hall to assist travellers, and digital and directional signage will be expanded throughout the station.
Amtrak’s efforts will be coordinated with the Federal Railroad Administration, representing the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, which leases the building from USDOT.
“A new and exciting chapter is beginning for Washington Union Station. Amtrak is committing to ensure this historic station remains a vibrant and welcoming place for all.”
Opened in 1907, Washington Union Station is the second busiest in the Amtrak national network, serving 4.7 million riders in FY2023. With peak passenger use projected to grow over the next two decades, the station remains essential to Amtrak’s growth.
The station serves Amtrak’s Acela, Northeast Regional, and overnight trains, as well as Amtrak Virginia and North Carolina services. It is also a hub for Washington Metro transit, MARC and Virginia Railway Express commuter lines, and local and intercity buses.
