Destination News - Rail, Road.

New York (AirGuide - Destination, Rail, Road News) May 31, 2009

Rail Europe

Rail Europe is launching three travel agent sweepstakes contests on agent.raileurope.com. The OTGV up to SpeedO sweepstakes runs through Jun 30. Agents and a companion can win a trip to France to experience the TGV firsthand. The Grand Prize consists of roundtrip airfare to/from New York on a commercial airline to travel to/from Paris; three nights (double occupancy) in Paris in a three-star or better hotel; two nights (double occupancy) in Strasbourg in a three-star or better hotel; a guided tour of the new TGV maintenance headquarters (Technicentre East European) in Paris; and two first-class roundtrip TGV tickets between Paris and Strasbourg. The OEurostar High-SpeedO sweepstakes runs through July 3. Agents can win a place on a Travel Agent Familiarization Trip. Rail Europe will award eight Grand Prizes to the winners whose names are randomly drawn from all entries received. Winners are to travel together on the fam. Travel will take place from Sept. 1, 2009, to Feb. 28, 2010. The Grand Prize consists of roundtrip airfare to/from New York on a commercial airline to travel to/from London; two nights (single occupancy) in London in a three-star or better hotel; three nights (single occupancy) in Paris in a three-star or better hotel; and one first class round trip Eurostar Leisure Select tickets between London and Paris. www.agent.raileurope.com May 29, 2009

Eurostar

High speed rail service Eurostar has introduced through fares for 18 Swiss cities. The company has teamed up with Lyria, which operates high speed trains between France and Switzerland, to provide passengers with one ticket for the whole journey. The main Swiss cities covered by the deal are Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, Basel and Bern. The fastest journey times are six hours 28 minutes to Geneva, six hours 19 minutes to Basel and six hours 50 minutes to Lausanne. The trips to Zurich and Bern both take more than seven hours. Passengers would need to transfer from the Gare du Nord, where Eurostar arrives in Paris, to other main stations in the city. May 29, 2009

Clipper Vacations

Clipper Vacations launched an OI Love Seattle SaleO with rates comparable to off-season, but valid through July 31. Packages start at USD 186 per person double occupancy and include two nightsOaccommodations in a downtown Seattle hotel and transportation via Amtrak or Victoria Clipper. Those coming from Victoria will enjoy travel via Clipper on one of ClipperOs three daily departures, those coming from Vancouver, B.C., or the Portland area can travel via Amtrak Cascades. And if customers live in Eastern Washington, or even closer, the package includes two nights in Seattle and a day trip to Victoria, B.C. www.clippervacations.com. May 28, 2009

Network Rail

UK train passengers enjoyed a year of record punctuality last year, according to figures from Network Rail. The UK track and station operator said more than 1.2bn passengers between April 2008 and March 2009 had arrived on time. Train punctuality stood at 90.6 percent, the first time the figure has broken the 90 percent mark. It is the highest figure since records began almost 20 years ago, and includes results from train companies operating on Network Rail infrastructure. Network Rail said the figure stood at 78.6 percent when it took control of the UK's rail infrastructure in 2002. www.networkrail.co.uk May 28, 2009

Amtrak

The Atlantic City Express Service (ACES), the only direct train service between New York City and Atlantic City, is offering specially priced tickets for the month of June as part of its "All Afford!" program to provide customers with a summer of savings and value. All coach-class tickets will be USD 29 from June 1 through July 5, with first-class seats available for an additional USD 25. Travelers can begin booking weekend departures at this special price starting May 26, via www.acestrain.com or www.amtrak.com. May 27, 2009

Amtrak

Amtrak is offering new, lower fares this summer, including 25 percent off the lowest published coach fare on the Northeast Regional service between Washington, D.C., New York and Boston and extending the current lower fares on Acela Express. These fares are available for purchase for travel June 2 through Sept. 3. Reservations are required and must be made 14 days in advance of travel. In addition to travel between Washington, D.C. and Boston, the 25 percent off discount is also available on service south of Washington, D.C. to Newport News, on AmtrakOs Vermonter service between Springfield, Mass., and Washington, D.C., and on the Keystone service between Philadelphia and New York. There are no additional taxes or fees to Amtrak prices. Sample one-way fares for these services include New York to Washington, current fare USD 72, summer fare USD 49; New York to Philadelphia, current fare USD 45, summer fare USD 34; Philadelphia to Washington, current fare USD 44, summer fare USD 33; Boston to New York, current fare USD 62, summer fare USD 49; and Baltimore to New York, current fare USD 64, summer fare USD 48. www.amtrak.com May 26, 2009

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