Amtrak to Connect NEC with New NextGen Acela High-Speed Service

Amtrak is launching its NextGen Acela high-speed service connecting the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Washington, DC, New York City, and Boston Aug. 28.

With this launch, five new trainsets will be in service initially, with a total of 28 new sets through 2027. There will be 27 percent more seats per departure and expanded weekday and weekend schedules.

“NextGen Acela is more than a new train, it’s an evolution of travel,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel.”

The NextGen Acela fleet was assembled at Alstom’s facility in Hornell, NY, using components from more than 180 suppliers across 29 states—creating approximately 15,000 U.S. jobs (based on APTA’s 2020 analysis, Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment, which estimates that $1 billion of public transportation spending creates 12,600 jobs [Total estimate adjusted for inflation and provides general scale of impact]).

The new NextGen Acela offers an elevated experience including free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, as well as individual power outlets and reading lights.

In the coming months, Amtrak will be operating both the current Acela equipment and the NextGen Acela trains as the new trains transition into the fleet.