HUTCHINSON— Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the highly active Omicron variant, Amtrak is temporarily reducing some train frequencies on select routes due to staffing challenges, including on the Southwest Chief that stops in Lawrence, Topeka, Hutchinson, Newton, Dodge City and Garden City.
Despite Amtrak’s rigorous vaccination and testing program, several hundred on-board service personnel, conductors, engineers, and mechanical crews continue to be impacted by COVID infections or exposures, particularly given the highly infectious nature of the new variant and the prevalence of breakthrough cases.
To ensure safe, reliable service and minimize unplanned service interruptions, Amtrak is suspending 8% of train departures over the next ten weeks.
There is a suspension of two weekly departures on nine long distance routes between until March 27, reducing weekly service from daily to five days per week, including the Southwest Chief.
Impacted customers with existing reservations are being re-accommodated. For more information visit Amtrak.com and click on ‘Schedules’.