Amtrak and Google have announced a new partnership that’s designed to help travelers make more sustainable transportation choices for intercity travel.
To accomplish that goal, Google has created new data integration that will also highlight Amtrak train options when travelers search for flights on Google Search of Google Flights.
The information will appear in addition to flight choices, in an effort to help travelers “consider more sustainable options when deciding how to get from point A to B,” according to a statement released today by Google and Amtrak.
“One of the biggest impacts we can make towards climate change is shifting the way people get around,” Amtrak President Roger Harris, said in a statement.“
As we continue offering services that motivate people to shift out of cars and planes into trains, we are thrilled that this integration makes it even easier for users to find rail options for their travel needs while also potentially lowering their carbon emissions,” Harris added.
The switch from trains to planes, when possible is a meaningful one in the battle to address climate change.
Each time a customer chooses Amtrak instead of flying, they can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 72 percent, says Amtrak.
“As Amtrak looks to the future, the United States has an opportunity to make use of an unparalleled asset—the railway infrastructure, the world’s largest by mileage—to support an expanded network of low-carbon, high-capacity intercity passenger rail routes that can materially enhance the economy, improve communities, and create opportunities for travelers and workers alike,” Amtrak said in a statement.
Amtrak has established a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the Amtrak Network by 2045.
The net-zero emissions target focuses on expanding efforts across Amtrak’s entire carbon footprint to reduce environmental impacts from operations while providing transportation.
More information about the new data integration can be found here.
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