Travel Roundup: Boulder Hits Amtrak, SFO Carbon Offsets, Hostels Popular and More
Boulder hits Amtrak train near Reno, Nev. -- A boulder struck an Amtrak train traveling near Reno, Nev. late Friday afternoon, causing damage to a train car and a three-hour delay. The boulder struck around 5:30 p.m., hitting the train's lounge car, but none of the 161 passengers on board were injured. The train's damaged car was removed before service could resume about 8:30 p.m., a spokeswoman said. The train was heading eastbound from Emeryville, Calif. to Chicago. The tracks appeared to be undamaged by the accident. [Source: Associated Press]
SFO travelers to buy carbon offsets at airport -- Customers at San Francisco International Airport will now be able to buy certified carbon offsets to minimize the environmental impact of their air travel at nearby kiosks. The experimental program is set to start in spring and is being created by 3Degrees, a San Francisco-based company that sells renewable energy and carbon reduction investments. The company partnered with airport officials on the project and so far the airport commission has paid $163,000 for the plan. Details on the program, including carbon offset prices and where the money is being invested, haven't been finalized but the company's Web site estimates a two-hour plane flight's carbon footprint would be offset by $4. [Source: San Francisco Chronicle]
More Americans stayed in hostels-- The upscaling of hotels and the declining economy may have caused a 20 percent rise in hostel bookings for North Americans, Hostelworld.com reported. While the economy is a factor and hostels typically provide cheap lodging, many more hostels are now offering private rooms and family rooms as well as dormitory-style living. By hostels offering amenities like pools, bars, restaurants and kitchen use so travelers can cook their own meals, they are filling a unique budgetary niche. [Source: Associated Press]
Long Amtrak delay may be reimbursed -- Amtrak passengers on a train that was 11 hours late can expect to be compensated. The train departed from Chicago and was set to arrive in Grand Rapids late Sunday, but due to weather-related flooding, repairs and an employee shift-change, it was delayed 11 hours. Employees are not allowed to work beyond a 12-hour shift, an Amtrak spokesperson said. Vouchers or reimbursement could be options for inconvenienced passengers, but the company will handle each complaint on a case-by-case basis, Amtrak reported.[Source: WWMT]