Amtrak announces ‘Floridian’ train with 2-day route, sparking reactions on social media

Amtrak introduced a brand new, short-term route on Monday, inflicting some social media customers to query who could be keen to embark on the total journey.

“Today, we’re proud to announce the launch of the Floridian! This train combines two iconic routes — the Capitol Limited and Silver Star — and will offer traditional dining throughout the full journey,” Amtrak officers wrote in an X put up on Monday, which was seen 12 million instances.

A map of the route exhibits the train starting its journey in Chicago, heading to Washington, D.C., earlier than persevering with south to Miami, Florida. There can be one train in every course per day, stated Amtrak, and the train will include Amtrak’s “Viewliner” vehicles. 

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The train will make direct round-trips between “Chicago and Miami with intermediate stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa”

“The Floridian offers customers an exceptional and sustainable journey to great destinations between Chicago and Miami, providing the amenities and delicious food our guests enjoy when traveling with us,” Eliot Hamlisch, Amtrak’s government vice chairman and chief business officer, stated in a press launch from Amtrak. 

Previously, riders on the Capitol Limited train route from D.C., to Chicago didn’t have a conventional eating automotive. Instead, the train had a much less restricted “flexible dining” choice for its first-class non-public room passengers, says Amtrak’s web site.

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The Floridian happened because of the East River Tunnel (ERT) Rehabilitation Project, which is able to “restore the two tubes that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy,” in keeping with Amtrak.

“The work will modernize the tunnel infrastructure, improving safety, reliability and security and bring the systems to a state of good repair,” stated Amtrak.

Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, situated in D.C., stated the Floridian is an “innovative solution to keeping passengers moving” in the course of the restore.

The Floridian will journey from Chicago to Miami every day, making direct round-trips between “Chicago and Miami with intermediate stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa,” Amtrak introduced. (Amtrak)

Amtrak beforehand ran a Chicago-to-Florida route from 1971 till 1979, says the web site Trains.com. That train was additionally referred to as the “Floridian.”

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The return of a train route connecting the Midwest to Florida has been a longtime dream of train lovers, Mathews stated in Amtrak’s launch.

“We’re thrilled that a new generation of American passengers will be able to experience this service for themselves,” stated Mathews.

Amtrak beforehand ran service between Chicago and Florida within the 1970s. (Amtrak)

On X, customers identified how the journey from Chicago to Miami on the Floridian was estimated to take 46 hours and 29 minutes – practically two days – and a few stated the fee was significantly greater than a flight between the 2 cities.

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Amtrak’s web site lists a one-way coach ticket from Chicago to Miami priced at $466 for Nov. 10, which is the primary day of service on the Floridian. But, on Nov. 12, the one-way ticket is priced decrease at $113.

A one-way coach ticket for the Chicago-to-Miami service prices $466, in keeping with Amtrak’s web site. (Amtrak)

“Midwesterners will still be driving the 20 hours,” stated the X account “Midwest vs. Everybody.” 

“For folks out there who have flown from Miami to Chicago and thought ‘I wish this took 10 times longer,’ check it out,” stated one other X consumer, who adopted up with “I like trains too, guys. Please shut up.” 

“I prefer taking a train from Chicago to Miami because it is more expensive, takes longer AND is hard to sleep on,” stated one other X consumer. 

“I’d love to not fly. I hate airports, flying, turbulence, etc. But this, for a family of 4, one way… is embarrassing,” stated one other X consumer, displaying a worth of $2,193.

The train trip will make a number of stops and final about 47 hours.

Other X customers appeared to have a constructive take on the announcement. 

“Ya know, it still sounds more pleasant than dealing with flying though,” one man wrote. 

“Seems like a cool little trip to take over week or so,” one other consumer posted.

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The Floridian makes its inaugural journey on Sunday, Nov. 10. 

When reached for remark, a consultant from Amtrak declined to say when the service would stop.