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AmeriStarRail Proposes Libertyliner 250 to Open High-Speed Trains to Coach Riders

September 6, 2025

AmeriStarRail, a Delaware-based company, is criticizing Amtrak's decision to exclude coach passengers from its new high-speed Acela service on the Northeast Corridor. The company argues this exclusion is discriminatory toward the majority of rail travelers and raises safety concerns as coach passengers must continue using aging train cars, some approaching 50 years old. AmeriStarRail has proposed partnering with Amtrak to operate the new 28 Alstom Avelia Liberty trainsets as "Libertyliner 250," which would provide coach, business, and first-class seating on high-speed trains.

Who is affected

  • Coach passengers (who make up 75% of Amtrak's 14 million Northeast Corridor riders)
  • Seniors, families, students, people with disabilities, and low-income passengers
  • Union Station travelers in Washington D.C. (part of 5.6 million annual riders)
  • The 70,000 daily passengers passing through Union Station

What action is being taken

  • AmeriStarRail is proposing a partnership with Amtrak to operate the new Alstom Avelia Liberty trainsets as "Libertyliner 250"
  • AmeriStarRail is requesting to present its proposal to Amtrak's Board
  • AmeriStarRail is actively criticizing the current exclusion of coach passengers from high-speed service
  • AmeriStarRail is offering to privately finance, operate, and maintain the Libertyliner fleet while retaining Amtrak branding and union crews

Why it matters

  • Safety concerns exist about operating 50-year-old Amfleet coaches at 125 mph
  • The current approach excludes over 75% of Northeast Corridor passengers from high-speed rail service
  • The proposed plan would increase capacity by more than 50% between New York and Washington
  • The partnership could generate "hundreds of millions of dollars annually" for Amtrak through fees and incentives
  • The proposal would make high-speed rail accessible to a broader demographic including seniors, families, students, and low-income passengers

What's next

  • AmeriStarRail has requested to present its proposal to Amtrak's Board for immediate consideration
  • The company says the partnership could begin this year, replacing outdated cars
  • The proposal is being pushed for consideration ahead of America's 250th anniversary in 2026

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer

AmeriStarRail Proposes Libertyliner 250 to Open High-Speed Trains to Coach Riders