Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation have announced they are adding another route (Chicago-Champaign-Carbondale) to a pilot project that allows travelers to "bring their pets along on trips to and from Chicago and Downstate Illinois. Small pets have been carried between Chicago and Quincy on Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg trains since April, with almost 20 small animals safely transported."
Although the test was scheduled to end in November, Amtrak and Illinois jointly decided to give the idea an extended trial, through April 26, 2015.
Other details from Amtrak:
"Advance reservations are required and a surcharge of $25 will be assessed for travel. Dogs or cats up to 20-pounds each will be accepted in carriers such as those used in airplane cabins and placed under the seat of each pet owner. Amtrak routinely welcomes service animals on trains at no charge and that policy is unchanged.
"Amtrak continues to be supportive of accommodating pets on trains. This expanded pilot project will give us better information to develop a plan that meets the needs of our passengers," said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. "We are collaborating directly with the Illinois Department of Transportation and a working group led by U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham of California in support of this initiative."
"The expansion of the Pets on Trains pilot program is a step forward in allowing families nationwide to travel with their pets on Amtrak trains," said Rep. Denham. "I look forward to continuing to work with Amtrak to see the program succeed."
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