Amtrak App Outage Disrupts Bookings; DOJ Settlement to Boost Crescent Service

Today, Amtrak’s mobile booking app went offline for users nationwide, and federal regulators finalized a settlement with Norfolk Southern to secure priority dispatch for Crescent Route trains.

The app outage left travelers unable to book tickets or access reservations for several hours, underscoring the reliance on digital tools for rail travel. Meanwhile, the Justice Department’s agreement with Norfolk Southern mandates smoother operations on the New York-New Orleans Crescent Route, aiming to reduce delays and bolster tourism.

App Outage Halts Digital Bookings

• Beginning shortly after midnight ET, passengers reported failures when opening the Amtrak app.
• Error messages indicated server connectivity issues, preventing new reservations or itinerary changes.
• Amtrak issued a brief notice on social media, urging affected customers to use the website or contact call centers.

DOJ-Norfolk Southern Settlement Secures Crescent Priority

Under the settlement announced today, Norfolk Southern will:

• Grant Amtrak’s Crescent trains priority over most freight movements on shared tracks.
• Implement enhanced dispatch protocols and real-time coordination to minimize unscheduled holds.
• Provide regular performance reports to the Federal Railroad Administration.

This deal addresses chronic delays on the 31-hour Crescent service, which carries passengers between New York City and New Orleans via major hubs including Atlanta and Birmingham.

Impact and Next Steps

Passengers affected by the app outage were offered waive-fee rebookings via alternative channels. Amtrak has pledged a full technical review and system upgrades to prevent future digital disruptions. Meanwhile, Crescent Route travelers can expect measurable on-time improvements once Norfolk Southern’s adjustments take effect by the end of this month.