The United States government formed Amtrak in 1970 to manage passenger service, which was previously a requirement and unprofitable for the independently owned freight line companies. According to John P. Almeida, writing for the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the first Amtrak train left Penn Station for Philadelphia on May 1, 1971.
According to Amtrak, the northeastern routes are much more popular than those in the rest of the country, with New York, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia being the busiest stations. People use Amtrak for commuting, as an alternative to driving or flying, or as a cross-country vacations.
Amtrak riders will find the seats more spacious and comfortable than those on an airline. Each passenger has access to an electric outlet and an overhead light. There are restrooms on board and a dining car.
Ticket prices vary by length of trip, date of the trip, and time between the purchase date and the travel date. Amtrak tickets may be purchased online and at some stations. Not all Amtrak stations are ticketing offices.
"Amtrak" is a combination of the words "America" and "track." (See the official Amtrak website.)
