Updated May 15, 2015
The deadly derailment of an Amtrak train on its way from Washington, D.C., to New York Tuesday evening may affect travel for the George Washington University community, including students leaving the city after final exams and families coming to D.C. for 2015 Commencement.
Amtrak has suspended direct rail service between New York City and Philadelphia until further notice, which means that all trains from D.C. to New York City and Boston have been canceled, according to a service advisory on the Amtrak’s website.
Amtrak will provide modified service between Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia and New York City and Boston, but passengers should check with the rail service to confirm whether their train is still running and if so at what time.
As of Wednesday morning, there are a number of trains still available from the District to Philadelphia, but some trips have been canceled or delayed, including the 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Acela Express.
New Jersey Transit will honor Amtrak tickets between New York City and Trenton. But trains are unavailable between Trenton and Philadelphia, because Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) has suspended service on the Trenton Regional rail line.
Amtrak officials have not said when regular service will be restored. Students traveling from Washington and families visiting D.C. for this week’s Commencement events can check Amtrak’s advisories and blog and follow @Amtrak on Twitter for updates.
At least one GW student was injured in the Amtrak crash. Among the eight passengers who died in the accident was GW alumna Laura Finamore, B.A. '90. Ms. Finamore, 47, lived in Manhattan and worked in corporate real estate. She was returning to New York City from a memorial service for a college friend's mother, a spokesman told the Associated Press.
Individuals with questions about their friends and family on Northeast Regional Train 188 that derailed in Philadelphia should call Amtrak's Incident Hotline at 800-523-9101.