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Rail Staff Travel
Non European arrangements

Non European arrangements

Non European arrangements

America

This page is only relevant to safeguarded employees who hold the Staff Travel Card. This facility is not available to holders of the Rail Staff Leisure Card or RST Online Leisure Card.

Availability

America offers travel facilities to Active Staff and dependents provided they have not taken up permanent residence in the United States of America. Dependents comprises spouses/partners and children. Dependent children aged 19 to 23 must be verified full time students to travel with the employee at discounted rates. Evidence of student status from the college/university will need to be supplied to Amtrak by RST as part of the application for the Reduced-Rate Travel Authorisation Card. 

These facilities are not granted to widow(ers) and their dependent children.

Reduced rate tickets are usually only available from ticket offices in advance of travel and not normally on-board trains. the 50% rate reduction is off the full public fare. Apply for a reduction card a minimum of ten weeks before travel using Non-FIP Travel Request form XX09d 

Buying tickets and reservations

A valid passport must be presented to purchase Amtrak tickets and reservations, and also on board for ticket inspection.

Reservations may be made by contacting Amtrak Reservation at 800-872-7245 or by going to an open Amtrak ticket office. Be certain to identify yourself as a Reduced-Rate Travel Authorisation card holder when making reservations. Reservations must be made within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time from the point of origin of reserved travel. This limit applies separately to each train or Thruway service, including for connecting and return travel. If the person is on one train at the 24-hour time limit and wants to book onward travel, they may use a mobile phone to call Amtrak reservations 800-872-7245 to book the new travel. Tickets may then be obtained for that train at the connecting station. 

Reduced rate fares are not available on Acela Express services, Thruway services in the 7000-8000 series or Thruway services in Oregon. Persons eligible for reduced-rate fares are not entitled to refunds for the fare difference if they book as a revenue passenger rather than using the Reduced-Rate Travel Authorisation Card. Spouses/partners may travel with eligible employees. 

Last updated 26 August 2026

Australia

The arrangement with Australia has been withdrawn due to issues with delivery of the scheme.

Updated 10 September 2026