U.S. Rep. Castor: Amtrak’s Floridian Route Brings Comfortable, Convenient, Sustainable Travel Option from Tampa Bay to Chicago

TAMPA, FL - Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) celebrated Amtrak's opening of a new route offering daily direct round-trip travel between Chicago and Miami with a stop in Tampa. The Floridian combines Amtrak's Capitol Limited and Silver Star routes to offer travelers an enhanced travel experience for a limited time starting Sunday, November 10.

"The launch of the Floridian is welcome news for Tampa Bay travelers who need options as our economy grows," said Rep. Castor. "This exciting new route will help Amtrak modernize its infrastructure while continuing to provide exceptional service to passengers."

Castor led the effort to include Tampa's Union Station as a stop along the route after it was bypassed in the original proposed route, writing to Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose to encourage the Tampa Bay region's inclusion in the final route.

The Floridian (Trains 40 & 41) will operate on a similar schedule and make the current stops of the Capitol Limited (Trains 29 & 30) between Chicago and Washington, D.C., and the Silver Star (Trains 91 & 92) between Miami and Washington, D.C.