Amtrak to launch NextGen Acela service on August 28

After nearly half a decade of watching, waiting, and testing, Amtrak has revealed that revenue passenger service of its NextGen Acela trainsets will finally commence on August 28, 2025.

Originally planned to enter service in 2021, the project was beset with problems discovered during the testing phase, leading to years of delay. Acela is the national passenger rail operator’s premium Northeast Corridor service, operating between Boston and Washington D.C.

Amtrak has not yet announced which departures will be operated using the new equipment on day one, but it says service will initially begin with five new trainsets. This will allow Amtrak to sideline some of the poorly performing original Acela trainsets before eventually ramping up service as it takes delivery of a total 28 trainsets through 2027.

Amtrak has had to keep its original Acela equipment in service for years beyond originally expected and it has become commonplace for multiple daily departures to be canceled due to mechanical issues, leading to a shortage of available equipment.

The NextGen Acela fleet should bring some immediate relief to frustrated riders, and even expand availability and lead to lower fares as the new trains also bring along an increased passenger capacity.

Much like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 in 2007 and 2011, respectively, a delayed entry into service has led to a #PaxEx conundrum. With an interior designed many years before entering service, technology and passenger expectations have advanced while the design has not, and it might feel a bit dated before a passenger ever steps on board.

Passengers are using various devices in a four-seat arrangement with a table

While it’s an undeniable improvement over the current Acela experience, which hasn’t seen meaningful improvements to the experience since its introduction at the turn of the millennium, passengers will only find USB-A ports at seats and not the more modern USB-C standard that some airlines have exclusively moved to in recent years.

Close up of USB-A power ports

A complete lack of seating in the cafe car has also received some negative reaction from passengers.

Passengers are standing in the cafe, which lacks seating

NextGen Acela comes several years after the introduction of the Siemens Venture passenger coaches now deployed across the Midwest and California networks as Amtrak looks to renew the bulk of its fleet from coast-to-coast.

Related Articles: