Amtrak is launching a newly designed Amtrak.com, with a number of features to make it easier for customers to book tickets online. The enhanced Web site has a fresh new look and feel with updated and reorganized content and functionality.

“The new Amtrak.com offers customers improved navigation to make access to needed information faster and more intuitive,” said Kathleen Gordon, senior director, e-Commerce.

An enhanced fare-finder feature consolidates all booking functionality – reservations, train status, schedule search and the “My Trip” section – into a single dynamic menu. Customers can now find the train they want by sorting by departure time, lowest cost and trip time.

In addition, the new site shows full-day train availability that reflects an entire day of seating inventory. With the new view, customers can see on one page all seating options for a particular train selection, including First Class as well as diagrams of sleeping accommodations. The previous site required additional site navigation to view these upgrades.

Other features on the new site include: a shopping cart to keep track of itemized purchases such as tickets, rental cars, or hotel rooms; an inventory alert icon to notify customers when seating is limited; and service alerts or passenger service notices placed directly with affected trains to make customers aware of issues that might impact their travel.

The new site will also feature a single sign-on for Amtrak.com and Amtrak Guest Rewards customer profiles and the ability for customers to choose communication preferences so Amtrak can deliver messages regarding promotions and service announcements via mobile device, phone or e-mail.