Join the discussion on the following article:
Trains News Wire Exclusive: AutoTrain amenities cut
Where does that info come from, Tawnya Rogers? I understood that Auto Train was required to run at a profit.
Even more typical, like drive-thru liquor stores, and not restricted to AMTRAK, is the plan to expand alcohol service in the dining cars, according to the article. Thus you get the passengers well ‘lubricated’ before they get their cars at either end of the trip. Hope they check for designated drivers.
My favorite quote from I don’t know who: “America is a classless society.” This proves it. As does all what’s lacking on Amtrak because of politicians who don’t know squat about marketing, hostelry, service, railroading, and people.
They sure could use the extra Lounge Cars on the Western trains during the summer.
Typical Amtrak…Rather than cut why don’t they EXPAND this successful concept to other routes?!
The Auto-Train is one of the only profitible Amtrak runs, why cut the amenities?
The auto train lost 32 million last year. Something like $250 per passenger per trip That is why we don’t have them elsewhere. These changes only only save 3.5 million. Sad
Let’s not make Amtrak better, let’s make it worse.This is so wrong. Make train travel better than the misery we suffer when we must fly. It’s so bad to cut, cut, cut all the time.
Whenever the Auto Train was privately owned, it turned a profit. The only reason it was discontinued (and fortunately restored after Amtrak came along) is because the railroad opened another route which suffered operational headaches due to poor track quality, and ultimately brought down BOTH trains. Amtrak needs to thoroughly review what it is that the Seaboard Coast Line did to make it profitable and put those operational policies into place again so they can MAKE PROFIT.
Rogers is correct. However, it is one of the best long distance trains and is well liked.
Could we get a claification here, Please, Rogers says it lost $32M and Kieser Says it made money?
Note to self Please don’t allow Rogers or Kieser to do my taxes.
Apparently the new inspector general is another yuppie bean counter. They don’t know jack about marketing.
Sheer political smoke and mirrors that grow more convoluted by the day. I don’t think there’s one ounce of common sense in this bad mitten game. As if that would resolve anything…one flower in the vase instead of two?
I am absolutely disgusted. Go back to the original plan that our geniuses in fantasy land trashed due to the perception of “big bad railroads”…let the railroads run the railroads…pay them a fee with incentive payments and reasonable standards. This is no way to run a railroad. Washington cannot manage it’s way out of a paper bag. Look around…examples abound.
Mr. Bates, since Auto Train arrives at 9:30am in each direction, I would doubt that people are getting their cars intoxicated.
This penny wish & pound foolise. This is exactly what the RRs of the 50s & 60s did to their passenger trains. Cut service & when revenues drop and the trains operate at a loss they went to the ICC & got permission to get rid of the trains. This is exactly what the elected DC gang wants to do to Amtrak. They have been trying to kill Amtrak since the 1970s. I ride the Auto Train & am disappointed that these services are going away.
I love Amtrak but the thinking of somebody at the top continues to astound those of us who spent a lifetime in marketing and public relations careers. Just makes no sense to take a garden of strawberries and turn it into a pile of corn husks. The lords of Amtrak giveth and the lords of Amtrak taketh away. If a lot of people stop using the service will anybody at the top understand why? I think it’s doubtful. Need some smarter people there.
If people are willing to spend their hard earned money on riding Amtrak. Then, you have to give them something for the money. If it means giving them goody bags, wine and cheese tasting and giving them a seperate lounge car for the first class passengers, then, so be it. If you’re going to booze them up. Then does the word LAWSUIT mean anything? Because, just as sure God made little green apples, the first DUI or DWI or crash and the drinks can be traced back to Amtrak. I’m sure that the money that this will cost alot more than keeping these amenities and suffering the bad publicity that Amtrak would have.
One of Amtrak’s major flaws that has chased it down the track since 1971 is its consistent inability to operate any semblance of first class–dining, lounge, and accommodations. Indeed, it could not manage the “Florida Special” beyond one season; proved its ineptness with the “Super Chief” to force Mr. Reed to pull Santa Fe’s nomenclature of “Chief” from Amtrak.
On the West Coast, we had for a while a very smart branding of the “Coast Starlight” with its feature California Parlour Car," until that too was downgraded. So, why should the “Auto Train” be treated any differently? If it was not for the crony politics, that F class lounge and a sleeper held in reserve would have served better on the “Empire Builder,” and brought in higher revenues for that service.
Amtrak has no interest in providing F class services, as indicated in its focus on the “7-11 Cafe” operated on its LD routes, where the liquor kit is quite minimal, and the LSA not trained as a bartender. Do we need to even discuss the erratic meal hours on every route and every train; the incessant PA coming on at 0700; the poor excuse for a “berth” in the Superliner/Viewliner design; the abbreviated menu and service in diner on last day of trip to facilitate counting and boxing of material before arrival?
As they said in boot camp, “look to your left, and look to your right, these guys won’t make it all the way through.” Just look at how Boardman has pushed out the long term management talent that was experienced and truly cared. So, rail travelers have to deal not only with the purse of Congress, but also the insecurities of Amtrak’s CEO, manifested in his pursuit to eliminate any potential peer with knowledge and ability, as in “The Emperor Wears No Clothes.”
There is always a minimum of 9 hours from the time alcohol sales are closed and passengers leave the train.