NEWS National Railroad Passenger Corporation Amtrak Intercity 210 South Canal Street Chicago, Illinois 60606-5715 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ATK-96-164 July 15, 1996 Contacts:Marc Magliari 312-655-1338 Lisette Alleway 904-855-1498 Doug Alexander 404-881-3063 RIGHT ON TIME: AMTRAK COMPLETES RENOVATION OF ATLANTA STATION ATLANTA -- Amtrak has completed a half-million-dollar renovation of its Atlanta station, just in time to accommodate thousands of Olympic visitors. A ribbon-cutting this evening will celebrate the improvements to the Amtrak Brookwood station at 1688 Peachtree St. in Atlanta. Amtrak, through general contractor Hardin Construction of Atlanta, began work on the 78-year-old-station in May. Customers will benefit from modern equipment such as a convenient elevator accessible to the mobility challenged. A new ticket counter, a streamlined baggage check-in and pick-up system, an improved air conditioning system and new indoor and outdoor lighting combine to facilitate better service to rail customers. This is the first major renovation at Peachtree Station since it opened in 1918. The renovation was orchestrated by the Washington, D.C., office of the Hilliard Group, a Princeton, N.J.-based architectural firm. Nearly two-thirds of the station was gutted and new restrooms were built in a central location, replacing the facilities that were scattered throughout the station. New administration offices, a crew room were built and a former pharmacy was converted to a waiting room. Decor in the new waiting room is in green and gold, in keeping with the railroad heritage of the Amtrak train to Atlanta, the Crescent. Many of the original features designed by Neel Reid remain, including arched windows, high ceilings, antique light fixtures, wooden benches and marble tiled floors. - more - - 2 - ATK-96-164 "The money spent on this renovation is an investment," said Amtrak Intercity President Mark Cane. "Amtrak believes rail passenger service is an integral part of Georgia's transportation future." Amtrak anticipates ridership to and from Atlanta to top 100,000 again this year, especially in light of increased traffic during the Olympic Games. The Amtrak Crescent will operate daily over its entire route between New York City and New Orleans, from July 18 through August 11, to accommodate Olympic visits. During the period of daily operation, the Crescent will carry additional sleeping car and coach capacity to accommodate the extraordinary customer demand. Georgia travel and tourism authorities have warned that automobile traffic to and through Atlanta during the Olympics will be severely restricted and train-to-transit transfers are encouraged. Amtrak and Alabama Limousine, Inc. will offer special round-trip transportation from Atlanta to Birmingham, Ala., for the eight Olympic soccer dates at Legion Field, July 20 - 28. Games are scheduled for each day except July 26. The "Birmingham Soccer Shuttle" will offer visitors an alternative between athletic events in Atlanta and Birmingham. The cost for the "Birmingham Soccer Shuttle" is $89 per person, including all transportation. Tickets to Olympic soccer events are purchased separately. Reservations for the "Soccer Shuttle" are available through Alabama Limousine at 1-800-766-4560. Please see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, visit a staffed Amtrak station or call 1-800-USA-RAIL for details regarding the Crescent or any other Amtrak service. Amtrak Intercity operates passenger rail service throughout much of the United States, including Midwest corridor trains for the Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Kansas City and St. Louis markets as well as most other Amtrak long-distance services. Headquartered in Chicago, Amtrak Intercity employs nearly 6,200 people in 39 states and is one of three Amtrak strategic business units.# # #