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Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn’s Message on Empire Builder Train Derailment in Montana

We are in mourning today for the people who lost their lives due to the derailment of the Empire Builder train Saturday, near Joplin, Montana, on the BNSF Railway, as well as the many others who were injured. We have no words that can adequately express our sorrow for those who lost a loved one or who were hurt in this horrible event. They are in our thoughts and prayers.

We are fully cooperating with the investigation, working closely with National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Railroad Administration, local law enforcement and response agencies. We share the sense of urgency to understand why the accident happened; however, until the investigation is complete, we will not comment further on the accident itself. The NTSB will identify the cause or causes of this accident, and Amtrak commits to taking appropriate actions to prevent a similar accident in the future.

Amtrak’s immediate and sustained focus is on doing everything we can to help our passengers and crew, especially the families of those who were injured or died, at this painful and difficult time. Our Incident Response Team has been initiated. We have sent emergency personnel and Amtrak leadership to the scene to help support our passengers, our employees and their families with their needs. Individuals with questions about their family and friends aboard this train should call 800-523-9101. We have also established a Family Assistance Center in Great Falls, Montana, and we will have family assistance liaisons at that site to reach out to those injured and their families to make sure they get what they need. We have dispatched nurse case managers to support those hospitalized. As soon as Amtrak has permission, we will access the accident site to retrieve the personal effects of our passengers and crew.

We want to extend our deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Joplin and greater Liberty County communities and other Montana counties and their selfless first responders, hospital staff and law enforcement for their immediate and ongoing help to support of all those aboard the Empire Builder for responding with such urgency, compassion and patience.

Lufthansa Innovation Hub Spins-Off Startup RYDES

The Lufthansa Innovation Hub, the central digitalization unit of the Lufthansa Group, spins-off the startup RYDES.  Forward31, the company builder of Porsche Digital, is contributing with its expertise and resources to the venture. Both Porsche and the Lufthansa Group are now strategic minority shareholders in the startup.

“The spin-off and subsequent funding from RYDES has been a great success. Once again, we are proving that startups from corporate digital units can adapt to market conditions. With Forward31, Porsche’s company builder, we have gained an important strategic partner that shares and further enhances our vision of a seamless mobility chain,” says Gleb Tritus, Managing Director Lufthansa Innovation Hub.

“The Lufthansa Innovation Hub is an authority on the development of new business models. Together with such a strong partner and the founding team, we look forward to continuing the successful development of RYDES in the future,” says Christian Knörle, Head of Company Building at Porsche Digital.

The aim of RYDES is to redefine and simplify access to modern mobility. For this purpose, the startup bundles existing mobility offers in one app and makes them accessible via the “Mobility Budget”. The new product allows companies to provide their employees with a monthly budget that they can use for various mobility services. These include car and bike sharing services, e-scooters, shared taxis, and public transport services. The different mobility providers are integrated into the RYDES app and users can use the app to book their trips and manage their budget. All journeys booked through RYDES are offset via the “Compensaid” platform and therefore CO2 neutral.

One-stop shop for mobility as B2B offer

RYDES focuses on companies that want to offer mobility to their employees as an additional benefit. In this way, RYDES is also meeting the demand for mobility services that is emerging in the context of “new work” and the trend towards flexible and decentralized employment. RYDES’ first customer is the flex-office provider WeWork. Companies and freelancers who have a membership with WeWork can use the RYDES offer. WeWork will make the offer available as soon as possible under the relevant Corona guidelines.

The “Mobility Budget” will initially be available in German-speaking countries. In order to drive further growth as well as the startup’s internationalization, Martin Miodownik is expanding the founding team. Martin Miodownik’s who was employee number one at GetYourGuide later assumed the role of VP Global Sales. In this position, he was responsible for the global expansion of the Berlin-based unicorn.

RYDES was founded in 2018 as part of the Lufthansa Innovation Hub. The company’s initial business idea focused on developing a loyalty program that rewards people for using different mobility services. With the ‘Mobility Budget’, RYDES now goes one step further and combines the booking of services in one app, making travel much more convenient.

Buy One Get One Free with the Amtrak Loves You Sale

WASHINGTON – At Amtrak, we want to show customers how much we love them by offering a Valentine’s Day Buy One Get One Free Sale. Thursday, February 11, through Tuesday, February 16, customers can purchase one ticket and bring a companion along for free for nationwide travel between February 22 and August 27, Customers can receive discounted tickets by using the code C214 at checkout or at amtrak.com/vdaysale.

Customers can skip the flowers and chocolates this year and take advantage of the Amtrak Loves You, limited-time offer to buy one ticket and get another one free for a future getaway, through August. Travel is available on select trains nationwide including the Auto Train, Northeast Regional, Acela, Southwest Chief, Empire Builder, California Zephyr and many other popular routes throughout the country. Two customers can make it a date and travel together for as low as:

RouteFareCitiesFare
Chicago – Milwaukee$25 New York – Chicago$112
Oklahoma City – Fort Worth$31Lorton – Sanford$115*
Albany – New York$45Los Angeles – Seattle$126
New York – PhiladelphiaCoach: $46
Acela: $81
Charlotte – New York$126
Philadelphia – Washington, DCCoach: $46
Acela: $92
Washington, DC – Atlanta$132
New York – ProvidenceCoach: $50
Acela: $94
Philadelphia – Savannah$140
Boston – New YorkCoach: $58
Acela: $98
Washington, DC – New YorkCoach: $74 Acela: $128
Fares will vary by train
*Plus the cost of your vehicle

Before traveling on Amtrak, customers should review state-specific travel advisories and restrictions that may be in place for various destinations. Once onboard, Amtrak customers can enjoy the freedom to use their phones and electronic devices (no “airplane mode”), large spacious seats with ample leg room, no middle seat and one of the most generous baggage policies in the travel industry.

Amtrak is leading the way by setting a new standard of travel with enhanced safety and cleaning measures. In an effort to simplify and safeguard the travel experience, several cleaning, contact-free and convenience measures have been implemented into every part of the customer journey, including:

  • Face Coverings: Per federal law and Amtrak policy, all customers and employees must wear a face mask or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose, fits snugly against the side of the face, and secures under the chin at all times while onboard and in stations. Neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas, face shields, and masks containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind do not qualify as acceptable face coverings. Face masks can be removed briefly while actively eating, drinking or taking medication. Children under 2 years old are not required to wear a face covering. Refusing to wear a mask is a violation of federal law; passengers may be subject to penalties under federal law, denied boarding, removed from the train and banned from future travel in the event of noncompliance.
  • Enhanced cleaning: Amtrak has enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols at stations and onboard our trains. 
  • Air Quality: All trains are equipped with onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every 4-5 minutes.
  • Physical distancing: Signage has been displayed at our busiest stations to indicate safe distances in high traffic areas. In addition, protective plastic barriers have been installed at customer counters at our busiest stations.

This sale is valid for one free companion rail fare traveling on the same reservation as one full adult fare. Adults must travel together and be booked in the same reservation. Upgrades to Acela First Class, and non-Acela Business Class are valid upon payment of full accommodation charge. Upgrades to sleepers are not permitted. This offer is not combinable with any other discount offer. All prices will be automatically discounted from the standard fare when accessing this promotion at amtrak.com/vdaysale or by using the discount code (C214) when booking their trip. Other terms and conditions apply.

Regulator Marine Goes Standard with Garmin Electronics

  • North Carolina boatbuilder will exclusively offer Garmin electronics as standard fit on all offshore sportfishing center consoles in 2020

Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN), today announced that Regulator Marine has selected Garmin to be its premier electronics supplier to outfit its full line of offshore sportfishing center console boats beginning model year 2020. Garmin electronics will be standard equipment on all Regulator boats ranging from 23 to 41 feet, including the new Regulator 26XO center console crossover, the company announced at its annual dealer meeting, July 23-25.

“It’s truly an honor to know that every new Regulator boat leaving the factory will include Garmin electronics,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “Garmin and Regulator share a passion for designing and engineering products without compromise, and we’re confident that having our award-winning electronics onboard will meet and exceed the needs of the Regulator customer.”

“We are honored to offer our customers what we believe are the finest electronics available today. Every new 2020 model year Regulator will come standard with a Garmin electronics package. From quality to innovation, our customers want it all and we know from our years of experience working together, that Garmin is the perfect fit,” said Joan Maxwell, Regulator Marine president and co-founder.

Regulator will be factory-installing the award-winning GPSMAP® 8600 chartplotter series, offering display sizes ranging from 12 to 17 inches, with models 28-feet and over offering dual 16- or 17-inch displays. Built for mariners who demand high performance, ease-of-use and feature integration, the GPSMAP 8600 series offers premium features like built-in sonar, preloaded BlueChart® g3 cartography with Navionics data, IPS touchscreen displays, full network capabilities and more. Each boat will also come standard with a Garmin VHF marine radio. Other electronics selected by Regulator include the GMR™ xHD2 open array radar series and the award-winning Reactor™ 40 Hydraulic Autopilot with SmartPump, Garmin’s most responsive autopilot system with AHRS technology. Several fishing and convenience upgrade packages are also available to ensure customers can choose additional electronics to fit their needs.

Garmin is the world’s leading marine electronics manufacturer1 and was recently named Manufacturer of the Year for the third consecutive year by the NMEA, an honor given to the most recognized marine electronics company for support of products in the field. Garmin’s portfolio includes some of the industry’s most sophisticated chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar technology, high-definition radar, autopilots, high-resolution mapping, sailing instrumentation, audio, entertainment and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and ease-of-use. Other Garmin marine brands include FUSION® Entertainment, Navionics—a premier supplier of navigation charts, and EmpirBus™. To learn more, visit www.garmin.com/marine.

About Garmin International Inc.
 Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, GPSMAP, BlueChart and FUSION are registered trademarks and GMR and Reactor are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2018, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at:

http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html

Littoral Combat Ship Indianapolis Completes Acceptance Trials

MARINETTE, Wis., June 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 17, the future USS Indianapolis, completed Acceptance Trials in Lake Michigan. This is the ship’s final significant milestone before the ship is delivered to the U.S. Navy. LCS 17 is the ninth Freedom-variant LCS designed and built by the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)-led industry team and is slated for delivery to the Navy this year.

“LCS 17 is joining the second-largest class of ships in the U.S. Navy fleet, and we are proud to get the newest Littoral Combat Ship one step closer to delivery,” said Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager, Small Combatants and Ship Systems. “This ship is lethal and flexible, and we are confident that she will capably serve critical U.S. Navy missions today and in future.”

Unique among combat ships, LCS is designed to complete close-to-shore missions and is a growing and relevant part of the Navy’s fleet.

  • It is flexible — with 40 percent of the hull easily reconfigurable, LCS can be modified to integrate capabilities including over-the-horizon missiles, advanced electronic warfare systems and decoys.
  • It is fast — capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots.
  • It is lethal — standard equipped with Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) and a Mark 110 gun, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute.
  • It is automated — with the most efficient staffing of any combat ship.

The trials included a full-power run, maneuverability testing, and surface and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of the ship’s combat system. Major systems and features were demonstrated, including aviation support, small boat launch handling and recovery and machinery control and automation.

“I am extremely proud of our LCS team including our shipbuilders at Fincantieri Marinette Marine,” said Jan Allman, Fincantieri Marinette Marine president and CEO. “These are complex vessels, and it takes a strong team effort to design, build and test these American warships.”

Click here to view video highlights: https://vimeo.com/343954322  
Click here to view B-roll: https://vimeo.com/343958904  
Click here to view photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143371902@N04/albums/72157709222602453/with/48116590697/

For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/lcs.

Amtrak Customers Celebrate 90 Years of Empire Builder Service

Commemorative merchandise now available

CHICAGO – Amtrak today marked the 90th anniversary of the Empire Builder, which travels across the country’s northern tier, allowing customers to experience the grandeur of the Mississippi River Valley, Great Plains, Rockies and the Cascade Range. Daily service between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest provides a vital intercity travel option connecting more than 40 communities in eight states.

Sleeping car customers received wooden train whistles from Amtrak Guest Rewards and all customers departing Chicago received commemorative certificates signed by Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson. Prints of a new Empire Builder painting by railroad artist J. Craig Thorpe are available in the Amtrak store and, for a limited time, other items to recognize the anniversary of the service are also available from Amtrak.

Inaugurated by the Great Northern Railway (GN), the first westbound Empire Builder departed Chicago on the evening of June 10, 1929, but it was christened the next day in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the GN had its headquarters and where its mainline to Seattle began. The premier service was named for James J. Hill–the “Empire Builder,” who in the late 19th century founded what became the GN.

The GN and three railroads merged in 1970 to form the Burlington Northern, which continued to operate the Empire Builder until May 1, 1971, when newly-formed Amtrak took it over and changed the route to include Milwaukee by using what is now the Canadian Pacific Railway between Chicago and St. Paul. In October 1979, it became the first overnight train to be assigned bi-level Superliner® railcars, setting a higher travel standard that continues today.

Last year, 428,854 customers rode the Amtrak Empire Builder, Trains 7/27 & 8/28.