TRAVEL

Train Travel in the Almost Post- Pandemic Era

Does an Amtrak trip between Philly and New York Feel COVID-Safe?

I recently traveled to New York City and back on Amtrak for the first time in over a year. I’m fully vaccinated, but still a bit of a nervous nelly when it comes to pandemic travel. So did I feel safe?

The Keystone

I took the Keystone from 30th Street Station to New York City.

Two hours before my train was scheduled to leave, I received a text from Amtrak telling me that “Federal law requires a mask on transit, regardless of vaccine status. Rebook if you have COVID-19 Symptoms.”

That was a good sign. And speaking of signs, when I boarded the train there were signs everywhere telling passengers to mask up and maintain social distance. And frequent announcements that masks had to be worn over both your nose and mouth unless you’re eating.

But this was the Keystone, where there’s no dining car. On past trips, that was always a drag — there’s nothing I love more than sitting at a table in an Amtrak dining car enjoying a snack and watching the world go by. But today it was a plus because it meant nobody in my car was eating, although a few of my fellow passengers were sipping drinks they’d purchased at…