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The Hoosier State passenger train, which runs four days per week between Indianapolis and Chicago, is offering discounts to children under age 12 and students.
One child under the age of 12 may ride the Hoosier State for free with the purchase of a coach ticket at full price using the code V416. In addition, students may take 30 percent off the coach fares with the code V805. Upgrades to business class are available for an additional charge. Both discounts require tickets to be purchased at least three days in advance and are good for travel through the end of May.
Tickets are available for purchase at HoosierStateTrain.com, 800-USA-RAIL and other sales channels, including Amtrak mobile apps. Coach fares range from $1 to $48 each way, and business-class tickets range up to $78 each way.
Paper tickets, eTickets, and reservations are issued by Amtrak and are subject to discounts and two rewards programs, Amtrak Guest Rewards and Iowa Pacific’s Rail Baron Club.
On-time arrivals
The Indiana Department of Transportation, online communities and their rail contractors announce the Hoosier State passenger train was 93.9 percent on time during February.
INDOT signed an innovative public-private agreement that preserved the Hoosier State service. In the months since October 2015, on-time performance has averaged 86.2 percent. Amtrak operates the Hoosier State, works with host railroads, provides train and engine crews, and manages reservations and ticketing. Iowa Pacific is the state’s contractor to provide the train equipment, train maintenance, food service and marketing.
INDOT and the communities of Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Rensselaer, Tippecanoe County and West Lafayette contribute operating funds.
Videos show on-board amenities
Two YouTube videos give viewers a glimpse of the Hoosier State train and the amenities on board. Delay in Block Productions filmed a short documentary, which is posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eoaah0ocvuI.
Reporter Michael Atwood joined Visit Indiana executive director Mark Newman on board the Hoosier State for a Boomer TV segment that aired on WISH-TV in February. It may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcxhUUAI4lc.
Passengers can stay productive or enjoy the journey with limited free Wi-Fi service and power outlets in both coach and business class. Breakfast on the northbound train and dinner on the southbound train are cooked fresh on board and served with real dishes and silverware. Hot meals and alcoholic beverages are included in business-class fare and are available to coach passengers for purchase on board.
Social media users may stay updated on the Hoosier State train at www.facebook.com/HoosierTrain and www.twitter.com/HoosierTrain.
