AmtrakRoutes.com is committed to being the most reliable, timely, and trusted independent source for news and information regarding Amtrak services and U.S. rail travel. Our mission is to provide travelers, commuters, and rail enthusiasts with factual, verified, and practical information.
The trust of our readers is our most valuable asset. This Editorial Policy outlines the standards and principles that guide our journalism and operations.
Our Mission and Editorial Principles
Our primary mission is to inform the public about Amtrak services, U.S. rail travel news, significant travel alerts, and relevant route updates.
We are guided by the following core journalistic principles:
- Truthfulness and Accuracy: We are committed to reporting the facts as we know them.
- Independence: Our editorial judgment is our own and is not for sale.
- Fairness: We strive to present information with impartiality and context.
- Transparency: We are open about our processes and correcting our mistakes.
- Public Service: We prioritize content that helps travelers make informed decisions.
Accuracy, Fact-Checking, and Verification Standards
Accuracy is the foundation of our work. Our editorial team is responsible for verifying all facts before publication.
We employ a rigorous verification process, which includes:
- Cross-referencing information with multiple sources whenever possible.
- Prioritizing primary sources (see below) over secondary reports or social media rumors.
- Confirming details such as dates, times, route numbers, and policy changes before they are published.
- Reviewing content for clarity, spelling, and grammar to ensure it is easy to understand.
Sources and Attribution
We are committed to transparent sourcing. We clearly cite the sources of our information within our articles so readers can judge the information for themselves.
- Official Sources: We prioritize official, primary sources for all service-related information. This includes, but is not limited to, official press releases, service alerts, and timetables from Amtrak.
- Government Sources: We cite and link to data, reports, and advisories from government entities such as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
- Anonymity: We do not use anonymous sources to report speculation. We will only grant anonymity to a source if they provide vital information that is not available through other means and they face personal or professional risk for speaking publicly.
Independence and No Influence Policy
AmtrakRoutes.com maintains full editorial independence.
- No Paid News: Our news coverage is not for sale. We do not accept payment, gifts, or favors in exchange for positive news coverage or to influence a story’s angle. Period.
- Editorial Firewall: A strict firewall exists between our editorial team and any advertising or business operations. Advertisers and sponsors have no influence on our news judgment or editorial content.
- Clear Labeling: Any sponsored content (advertising) will always be clearly and unambiguously labeled as “Advertisement,” “Sponsored,” or an equivalent designation, distinct from our editorial content.
Corrections and Updates Policy
We are committed to correcting factual errors promptly and transparently.
- Corrections: If a significant factual error is found in an article, we will issue a correction. The correction will be appended to the article, clearly stating what was wrong and what has been changed.
- Updates: For developing stories, such as an ongoing travel alert or service disruption, we will “Update” the article with the latest information. These updates will be clearly timestamped to ensure readers have the most current information.
Readers can report potential errors to our editorial team via our “Contact Us” page.
Transparency and Authorship Accountability
We believe in accountability.
- Bylines: All news articles and reports will carry a clear byline with the author’s name.
- Author Information: Our authors are journalists and travel experts specializing in U.S. rail. Author biographies, where provided, offer background on their expertise and experience.
- Contact Information: The publication’s ownership and primary contact information are clearly listed on our “About Us” page.
Ethical Guidelines and Avoiding Misinformation
Our editorial team adheres to the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics.
We actively work to avoid the spread of misinformation and unverified rumors, especially during active travel disruptions or emergencies where public safety is a concern. We do not publish speculation as fact. We strive for fairness and balance, seeking comment from relevant parties in any dispute or controversy.
AI Content Policy
AmtrakRoutes.com believes in human-led journalism.
While our editorial team may use generative AI tools to assist with research, brainstorming headlines, or creating summaries, all content is subject to rigorous human oversight.
- Human Oversight: No article is published without being thoroughly reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by a human editor.
- Accountability: Our human authors and editors remain fully accountable for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all published content, regardless of the tools used in its creation.
Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure
Our writers and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest to their editor.
This includes any financial relationships with Amtrak, its parent company, or its direct competitors, or personal relationships that could compromise their impartiality. Staff are prohibited from using their position or confidential information for personal gain. In the rare case where a writer has received complimentary travel or access for a feature review (which is separate from news coverage), this will be clearly disclosed within the article.