“Amtrak prioritizes the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew above all else. During the winter season in Michigan, we experienced service disruptions due to a combination of severe low temperatures and associated mechanical issues.
“Specifically, during weather temperatures of below zero trains encountered delays due to cafe car & toilet room water system malfunctions. Investigations revealed that the low temperatures triggered the car freeze protection mode that is integrated in the cars, resulting in water being discharged from the system to prevent damage to the piping. While these issues were resolved and the trains proceeded, these incidents, along with other similar occurrences, highlighted the challenges posed by extreme winter conditions.
“To mitigate the risk of passengers becoming delayed in potentially hazardous conditions, Amtrak at times made the difficult decision to preemptively cancel certain services. This decision was made to ensure passenger safety and prevent the need for prolonged delays or emergency shuttles, which can be particularly challenging during severe weather events.
“We are actively working to address the root causes of these disruptions. This includes collaboration with equipment manufacturers ensure that systems function reliably in extreme cold. We are committed to improving our winter operational resilience and minimizing future disruptions while maintaining our unwavering focus on passenger safety.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and frustration these disruptions caused. We understand the impact this had on your travel plans, and we deeply regret any disruption. We are taking significant steps to improve our winter preparedness and are committed to delivering a more reliable service in the future.”
