SPRINGFIELD (September 18, 2020) — Amtrak will now allow passengers to bring along their bicycles on Hartford Line and Valley Flyer trains, a change in service announced just in time for fall sightseeing on the lines serving commutes from New Haven, Connecticut, north to Greenfield.

There is a $10 fee, according to Amtrak, which announced the change in policy earlier this week. Arrangements also must be made in advance. The first day was Tuesday.

Among the stops served is Springfield’s Union Station.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has always allowed bicyclists to bring their bikes along on its CTrail trains, said ConnDOT spokesman Kevin J. Nursick. Connecticut started running its Hartford Line commuter trains from New Haven to Springfield in 2018.

“We would like to see a lower or no fee and no advance purchase requirement,” he said. “We will be discussing it with Amtrak.”

On Amtrak trains, riding bicyclists use new luggage racks that convert to bike racks. The racks take a standard-sized bicycle, but the front wheel must be removed which is easy to do on most bikes.

Amtrak is also allowing bikes on other runs across the country.

The news comes at a time when the national passenger railway and transit in general is still feeling the impacts of coronavirus.

The Hartford Line – both CTrail and Amtrak – trains are running at about 60% of normal service. Ridership is down about 80% to about 20% of the previous year’s number.

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New CDC-approved cleaning process used to keep passengers and drivers safe.

SPRINGFIELD, MA [June 4, 2020] – Peter Pan Bus Lines buses will be back on the road serving major cities along the north-east corridor starting June 5 and the company has developed a new and unique cleaning process to keep both customers and employees safe.

“Shutting down was one of the hardest things we have ever done,” suggests Peter Picknelly, Chairman of Peter Pan Bus Lines and third generation leader of the family-owned company. “We also know that our customers have been through a lot as well. So, we are happy to back on the road, serving our customers again, but now using the best cleaning and sanitizing practices in the transportation industry.”

During the shutdown, Peter Pan Bus Lines continued to improve its contactless boarding procedures and technologies. The company also made a significant investment in its bus cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Currently, Peter Pan Bus Lines is the only bus company using CDC approved PermaSafe to continuously kill viruses, including COVID-19, bacteria, germs, and mold on contact. The nontoxic product also purifies passenger cabin air while making the interior surfaces antimicrobial and self-sanitizing. The company also uses state-of-the-art Victory electrostatic hand-held sprayers, together with the powerful BruTabS6 sealant, to sanitize and disinfect. The virus-killing sprayer is used over the bus. Peter Pan Bus Lines cleans all its coaches every day with some of them being cleaned mid-route.

“No contact boarding means that, once they have purchased their ticket online or through our app, all passengers have to do to board is to simply walk up to the bus and give the driver their name,” explained Mr. Picknelly. “In terms of safety and sanitizing, we are leading the industry with our CDC-approved approach. In fact, a hospital recently asked us to clean their staff buses.”

Routes and schedules are still changing frequently, so customers should visit peterpanbus.com for the latest information.

Additional safety provisions:

• Passengers are required to wear a face mask at all times while boarding, traveling and exiting the coach
• The first row of seats behind the driver will not be open for passengers
• While on the bus fresh air will be continuously circulating
• Our employees have been issued PPE, including face masks and hand sanitizer, to follow the CDC recommendations.

About: 
Peter Pan Bus Lines is one of the largest privately-owned motor coach companies in the USA, serving over 100 communities in the Northeast corridor of the United States. The company offers daily express service in major metro areas such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

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Media Contact
GCAi for Peter Pan Bus Lines
Darcy Young, 413-736-2245

dyoung@GCAionline.com

Springfield Union Station remains open, however beginning Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at noon, only passengers patronizing our transportation carriers will be permitted entry. This is in an effort to comply with the governor’s order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people.

Only ticketed passengers of Amtrak, CTRail, Greyhound, Peter Pan Bus Lines, and PVTA may enter the building. Entrance will be restricted to the PVTA doors located at the corner of the building.

It’s the season of music at Union Station! We are hosting free concerts featuring local schools and music groups. Join us at noontime for concerts performed by students from the Springfield Public Schools, from December 16^th through December 20^th. Additional performances will also feature the a cappella trio Time Was, on December 17^th at 5:30 and Caroling by Western Mass Brass on December 20^th at 6 pm.

Performances will be held in front of the tree in the Grand Concourse area of the station. Parking in the Union Station Garage will be free to concert attendees for the duration of each show. “We are so excited for the opportunity afforded to our students to spread holiday cheer with their performances at Union Station,” said Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick. “Students always relish occasions where they can give back to the community that has given so much to them and their holiday performances are always delight to behold. We are grateful to Union Station for welcoming them.” Special thanks to Springfield Public Schools and iHeartMedia for working with us to fill the station with the sounds of the season.

Daytime performances:

• Monday, Dec. 16: Warner/Lynch Elementary School Chorus
• Tuesday, Dec. 17: White Street Elementary School Chorus
• Wednesday, Dec. 18: Pottenger Elementary School Chorus
• Thursday, Dec. 19: High School of Commerce Chorus
• Friday, Dec. 20: Putnam Vocational Technical High School Music Ensemble
• Saturday, Dec. 21: Community Music School *1:00pm

Evening performances:

• Tuesday, Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m.: Time Was a cappella trio
• Friday, Dec. 20, 6 to 8 p.m.: West Mass Brass carolers

Springfield Union Station and the Springfield Redevelopment Authority have compiled a variety of travelers’ memories, images and reflections on the building as well as its attributes. The collection is now being stored on a new website page called “Memories”: www.springfieldunionstation.com/memories

Currently, more than ten different submissions have been received along with historic photos and newspaper clippings. Those memories include the history of a family who worked at the station, dining car experiences, army days and even a recount of Henry David Thoreau use of the station.

Do you have a favorite memory or photo of Springfield Union Station?  Send it to UnionStation@OConnells.com