Amtrak to accept e-tickets

The national passenger rail service, Amtrak, said Monday that it would begin accepting electronic tickets for trips on all of its trains.

The move to e-tickets will allow passengers to have "increased flexibility to make or change or change reservations," the agency said.

"E-Tickets deliver the convenience and flexibility expected by passengers and its innovative technology is transforming other aspects of how Amtrak does business,"  Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman said in a statement. 

The agency said it had tested the electronic tickets on five routes. The tests "exceeded expectations as rapid adoption by passengers resulted in shorter lines at ticket counters, less tickets sold onboard trains and few claims of lost tickets," Amtrak said.

The introduction of the electronic ticket comes as Congress prepares to review Amtrak's concession sales during a hearing this week. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will meet Thursday to review whether there has been "mismanagement" in Amtrak's food and beverage services.

Boardman will be among the witness scheduled to testify at the hearing.

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