US suspends long-distance train services ahead of possible freight strike

The main U.S. railroad operator, Amtrak, has announced the suspension from this Thursday of all long-distance train services in view of the possibility of the start of a strike during the day on Friday, following the cancellation of services on other routes between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The company has said the move “is necessary to ensure that trains can reach their destination terminal prior to a disruption of rail service if a resolution is not reached in negotiations.” “Amtrak will only operate trains where there is assurance that they have time to reach their destination by 0:01 a.m. on Friday, September 16,” it added, as reported by the U.S. television network CBS.

Amtrak, which is not involved in the negotiations, on Wednesday began adjusting schedules and passenger train services that could be affected in the event of an announced strike by freight rail workers, which would be the first nationwide in the last 30 years. The operator is not participating in the negotiations and has stressed that its staff “is not involved”.

The problem stems from the fact that a disruption of service would affect tracks owned by companies involved in the labor dispute, which would cause them to become inoperative in the event of a strike, affecting passenger operations undertaken by Amtrak.

Thus, the operator has stressed that it is contacting customers who have tickets on the canceled routes and has assured that it will allow them to change their reservation or receive a refund of the full amount, as reported by CNN television network.