(The following story by Michele Kimball appeared on the News-Press website on July 18.)
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Take a quick jaunt to Jacksonville. Go to Waldo on a whim. Pass through Pensacola. Meander around Miami.
Amtrak is making it possible to visit any or all of 33 cities in Florida in one year for one price.
The rail company is offering a Florida Rail Pass that allows state residents to pay one price for a year and receive unlimited travel on Florida rails to those 33 cities. The pass costs $249, but will be discounted to $199 until Aug. 27.
Larry Williams Jr., the station agent at the Miami station, said train travel is affordable — and fun. Families often travel by train, he said.
“You will be able to meet a lot of people on the train, and you can play games like cards, checkers or dominoes while you travel,” Williams said.
The Florida Rail Pass is being offered for the fourth year in a row, according to Marcie Golgoski, an Amtrak spokesperson.
“We targeted Florida because we know it is a popular area,” Golgoski said. “It’s a way for Florida residents to travel their state.”
“The pass pays for itself in just a handful of trips. Plus, there’s no need to reserve a ticket — just flash your Florida Rail Pass, you’re on the train and on your way immediately,” Golgoski said.
Both adults and children are eligible for the pass, which costs the same no matter the traveler’s age, Golgoski said.
The pass is good for coach seats, but travelers can upgrade to business class or sleeper cars for an extra fee. The fee varies depending on the route, but a traveler going from Miami to Jacksonville (the longest of the routes) would pay a little more than $50 to upgrade to a sleeper car with meals included.
There are some restrictions. The pass is not valid on Thruway motorcoach connections between DeLand and Daytona Beach or Miami and Key West, or on Coach USA Orlando shuttles. Thruway motorcoach connections are bus transfers between stations.
So far, Florida residents have purchased nearly 5,000 rail passes, Golgoski said. Of the 1,200 rail passes sold last year, Hollywood and Miami had the highest sales. Tampa was fourth on the list. Golgoski said most rail pass tickets are purchased through ticket agents or travel agents.
Passengers have varied reasons for choosing train travel. While waiting for an early morning train from Miami to New York, Maria Febles of Miami said travel fears bring her to Amtrak.
“I’m afraid of the plane — that’s what makes me come here.”
Febles said she has traveled the route several times in sleeper cars and in coach, and she prefers coach.
“Coach is entertaining,” she said. “You see people coming and going.”
Jennifer Matthews of Miami chooses Amtrak because it is better than other travel options.
“The bus is a bumpy ride,” she said. Matthews also likes the convenience of not having to leave the train to eat her meals.
Darlene Sanchez of Miami traveled from the Miami station to New York to reach her final destination in New Jersey. She brought along her parents and her 7-year-old daughter. They were preparing to sightsee and visit family.
Sanchez said she chose train travel because he daughter was afraid of air travel. She also said the train seemed more comfortable than other modes of travel.
“I’ve taken a bus,” Sanchez said, “and it can’t be worse than a bus.”
Golgoski, an Amtrak spokesperson, agreed that train travel can be less stressful.
“For so many of Amtrak’s passengers, the train is a break from the ordinary stressful travel experience, a chance to unwind and take time for themselves before or after a busy day,” Golgoski said. “There’s just something about a train ride that can relax and lull you into a calmer, better mood.”