NEWS



National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Amtrak Intercity
210 South Canal Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Fax: 312 655-2565



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE				       ATK-96-57
March 20, 1996						       Contact: Marc Magliari
								       312-655-1338

AMTRAK OFFERS SPECIAL FARES FOR HIAWATHA CUSTOMERS			

	CHICAGO -- Amtrak is reducing weekend fares, renewing promotional incentives and is offering a "kids ride free" program for the summer months on the Hiawatha Service, operating six times daily between Chicago and Milwaukee.
 
	The fare promotion and an accompanying advertising campaign are designed to remind the public of the fast and frequent service along the line, with stops in Glenview, Ill., and Sturtevant, Wisc.  Ridership has been disappointing in recent months, due in part to the lingering effects of a service disruption two years ago, some fare increases and service reductions.

	Amtrak's Hiawatha Service is supported in part by the States of Wisconsin and Illinois.

	Features of the fare promotion include:

	 	Reduced weekend fares.  Adults will be able to take advantage of new special round-trip fares starting at $14.50 one way (based on round-trip fares of $29) for travel between March 16 and June 18.  This represents approximately a 25% discount over the previous excursion fare.
	
	 	Kids Ride Free Program.  A special summer promotion allowing children ages 2-15 to ride free with a fare paying adult will be launched on June 19 and run through September 15.

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	 	Midwest Express Frequent Flyer Miles.   A partnership with Midwest Express Airlines offers travelers 170 miles of credit toward free air travel every time they travel round-trip on the Amtrak Hiawatha trains.
 
	In addition to these promotional initiatives, a new advertising campaign has been developed to communicate these initiatives to the traveling public in the effort to increase revenues and ridership in the corridor.  The advertising campaign has been designed to convey a message of convenience and value for people seeking an efficient and easy way to travel along the route.	

	Other initiatives include the development of special promotional coupons that will be sent to local businesses, tourism groups and other entities encouraging them to try a new form of relaxing and hassle-free transportation between Milwaukee and Chicago.  The promotional initiatives were developed in conjunction with Amtrak and the two states and are poised to build a firm base of riders for the Hiawatha trains.  

	Please see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, visit a staffed Amtrak station or call 
1-800-USA-RAIL for details on this service.

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