An Amtrak manager has told the Rail Passengers Association that full-service dining will return to six western long-distance trains once they resume daily operation in late May or early June.
Larry Chestler, who oversees Amtrak’s long distance trains, said the passenger carrier expects “something close to normal” this summer for sleeping car class bookings.
Chestler indicated that Amtrak wants to be able to offer a dining-car experience while tending to those who are anxious, fearful or do not desire the traditional communal dining experience that was common in dining cars before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a post on its website, RPA said Amtrak managers said the carrier is still developing plans for dining service restoration that may include “some new options targeting improved safety and improved meal quality.”
Since late last spring, Amtrak has offered its flexible dining model aboard all western long distance trains.
Initially begun in June 2018 aboard the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited, the flexible dining model involves serving prepackaged meals to sleeping car passengers in either the dining car or in their rooms.
The model, which was initially known as contemporary dining, was later expanded to all eastern long distance trains.
It meant a more limited offering of menu items and no more onboard food preparation other than heating already cooked meals.
It was a cost-cutting measure for Amtrak because it reduced dining service from three or more positions to one.
Onboard Amtrak food service workers displaced by the practice on the western trains were moved to the extra board.
Tags: Amtrak, Amtrak dining cars, Amtrak dining service, Amtrak flexible dining service, Amtrak sleeping cars, Rail Passengers Association
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