This year, a lot of you got your travel plans into sha the easy way. You sat back in a plush Amtrak seat. And got into training. THIS WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS. After a solid year of pro- sals and counterproposals, Sa and debates—and a summers worth of ener crnises— Congress established guidelines under which trains would be kept. And for the first time gave Amtrak the long-term support we ve needed to see those plans through to reality. But really, it goes deeper than that. Because this was the year America took a long, hard look at its passenger trains. And decided to kee them. Improve them. And rely on them. Now its up to us. And we ledge to improve the quality of service and performance. INTRODUCING A NEW AMTRAK Today, theres a new route map. Its more efficient than before: yet, with the changes, Amtrak still serves 503 cities and towns in 44 states, border to border, ocean to ocean. Including yours. More importantly, its a pas- senger rail system that’s here to stay. le eliminating some routes, weve added others and are improving the kinds of services on still more. Well continue to build our sys- tem around you, your needs and your interests. WHY WASTE ENERGY? Yours or Americas. The day when America could depend almost exclusively on the auto is fast disappearing. If it hasnt already. Trains are a real alternative — at their best when moving people between large cities and smaller ones. This kind of transportation is exactly what America needs. And its exactly what we do. VISIT OUR NEW CAR SHOWROOM. Come down to your local station. In most areas of the country, you 1l find our new Amfleet cars. With wide, reclining seats, wall-to-wall carpeting and drop-down trays, they rival the best in the world. Today, two of every three Amtrak trains operate with Amfleet or equally mod- ern Turboliners and Motrolin er equipment. Expect to see more comfortable new cars in the years ahead. n our Western routes, you 1l soon find our new Superliners starting service this month and next. These exciting double-decker long- distance trains bring new coach, dining and sleeping car luxury to some of the most beautiful parts of our country. 284 of these cars will complete the fleet over the next 12 to 18 months. On other routes, especially long-distance Eastern trains, new cars will be ordered soon. In the meanwhile, were bring- ing the best of the West to the East— with a stopover in Beech Grove, Indiana. IN BEECH GROVE, MINOR MIRACLES PERFORMED WHILE YOU WAIT. At our service facility there, were taking these solid cars and rebuilding them from the wheels up. Once stripped to their frames and chassis, we replace antiquated steam sys- tems (that's nght, steam!) with reliable electric air condition- ing and heating. We put in new interiors—new every- ur people innovate as they go, and pass on their knowledge to our other repair facilities through a videotape training program originated and crea ted right there. These people best reflect the grow- ing attitude you ll find among all Amtrak employees— proud, productive and in tune with our bright future. CARS ARE JUST ONE OF OUR CONCERNS. When you take a train—or a bus or plane — you should arrive at your destination when the schedule said you would. ‘We agree. We also agree Amtrak's on-time performance could be much better. And were doing something about it. Part of the solution is us. Getting reliable equipment. And maintaining it so it won't break down en route. Some of the solutions are in the hands of others. All of Amtraks trains outside the Boston-Washington Northeast Corridor, after all, are dis- patched and controlled by pnvate railroads over rails owned by them. If the tracks are allowed to deteriorate our trains can t keep their schedules. Clearly, if the rail- roads don t work together with Amtrak, our trains will be delayed. It's one of our most important challenges. SO IS YOUR COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE. An ill-kept station is no way to begin or end a trip. That's why were actively renewing or rebuilding stations. Weve also expanded our ticketing services, from the reservation agents you s to on the phone— with their computer consoles that give you accu- rate information at the touch of a button — to the variety of fares and packages they can offer you to save you money. And because we believe strongly in an intermodal public transportation system, were maxing our schedules work harder, so you can con- nect with buses, for instance, to continue your trip when necessary. WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU INTO TRAINING. There are no two ways about it. Amtrak management is going to get you on d and keep you coming back to our trains. And were going to do it with an aggressive, vital, Innovative commitment to you, the riding public. That means everyone, from our res- ervation and station agents to our on-board service per- sonnel, and give te railroad employees like engineers and conductors. . They re proud and dedi- cated people. Together, we promise to give you the first- class rail system you deserve. And, as we enter a new decade, the system you need. Welcome aboard. I MOUNT JOY, TAKE ONE FOR A TEST RIDE. Mt. Joy is served several times Mon thru Fri by Amtrak's Silverliners. East- bound service for Lancaster, Paoli and Philadelphia from 7:42 AM to 9:23 PM West- bound service to Harrisburg departs from 7:16 AM to 11:55 PM: frequent week- end service. Connecting service in Philadelphia. For fares and schedules, call Amtrak or one of our over 6300 travel agents. ct dus i et sta tt A A i a a ce str soo Amtrak- Pe Amtrak Station, Delta & Henry Sts., Mount Joy/ Call toll-free 800-562-5380. SUSQUEHANNA TIMES—Page 3
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