Travel Update 09-05

The Governor's Travel Control Board wishes to update agencies on the change in Amtrak policy. Effective April 20, 2009 Amtrak will only offer the discounted State of Illinois rate Monday through Friday. State employees traveling on Saturday or Sunday will be subject to the available fare for that particular time. In addition, State of Illinois fares or tickets will not be available from the portable quick track machines located at various stations throughout the state. State of Illinois employees wishing to obtain the State of Illinois rate will have to make a reservation by calling Amtrak at:

• General Reservations, (800) USA-RAIL
• Springfield Station, (217) 753-2013
• Chicago Station, (312) 558-1075

Tickets may also be purchased at a local ticket office if the station is manned by a ticket agent. When tickets are picked up employees are required to produce a State of Illinois Identification Card. This also applies if they make a reservation and want to pay for the trip after boarding the train. In this case employees must have the reservation number and a State ID to present to the conductor.

Although train information is available at www.amtrak.com, reservations for state travel cannot be made on this site. Copies of complete schedules for all Illinois cities served by Amtrak can also be obtained at a local Amtrak station or by calling the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Railroads, at (217) 782-4981.

As the appointed Travel Coordinator for your agency, it is your responsibility to disseminate this information to all appropriate personnel within your agency. If you have any questions, please contact Kelley Shaw, State Travel Coordinator, at (217) 782-4705 or by e-mail at kelley.shaw@illinois.gov.