Starting today, Hoosiers can now travel by railroad from Indianapolis to Chicago as the Indiana Department of Transportation signed a 2-year deal with Amtrak and Iowa Pacific Holdings. Trains depart Chicago at 5:45 p.m. and arrive in Indianapolis five hours later.
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Amtrak will be the Hoosier State operator, providing train and engine crews and ticketing services. INDOT will reimburse Amtrak for costs which are not covered by ticket revenue, and Amtrak would pay the state any excess revenue above this. INDOT will receive 25 percent of Iowa Pacific’s operating profits for the Hoosier State route. The contract runs through June of 2017 and the state has the option to extend the deal for up to four more years.
The Journal Review added that state and local governments make arrangements with private companies to improve the services of local trains and offer new amenities to passengers, as they compete against driving their own cars or taking the bus.
One of the three Iowa Pacific passenger cars on the train is a dome lounge, which soon will house business-class seating, hot meals and drinks, officials said. Iowa Pacific’s part of the deal includes trains, maintenance, food service and marketing. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis.
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Hoosier State adult coach fares range from $24 to $48 each way and are subject to discounts and two rewards programs.
