Jump to content


Photo

Video/Local leaders seek better service from Amtrak


  • Please log in to reply
4 replies to this topic

#1 Sloan

Sloan

    Member

  • Global Moderator
  • PipPip
  • 12851 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Harrisburg, PA
  • Interests:Light Rail & Commuter Rail<br>Passenger Rail Stations

Posted 04 March 2014 - 01:57 PM

Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski said trains running on time was the main issue covered in last week’s meeting.


http://wlfi.com/2014...ce-from-amtrak/

#2 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 04 March 2014 - 09:33 PM

Journal & Courier, Lafayette, IN, 2/28:

Commerce delegation: Amtrak chief pledges to improve service on local route
On-time performance primary concern


At a time when Indiana and the communities served by Amtrak’s Hoosier State passenger rail line are pushing for improved service, the line’s on-time performance was 33 percent in January, according to Amtrak.

That lack of reliability was one of the main discussion points Thursday during a meeting between Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman and local government and business leaders, said Arvid Olson, a Greater Lafayette Commerce council member.

“There was a frank conversation regarding on-time performance,” Olson said.

“There were two very tangible ways for it to be improved that were discussed, and Amtrak is moving forward on both of them.”

Continue.

#3 KevinKorell

KevinKorell

    Board Leader

  • Sr. Admin
  • PipPip
  • 82315 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Lakewood, NJ
  • Interests:Making America TRAIN again!

Posted 05 March 2014 - 01:53 AM

It should be of greatest concern that crews are outlawing (12 hour limit) on what should be about a 5-hour trip. Those are serious delays. Much of that 5 hours is the portion between Dyer and Chicago where they go through 5 different host railroads. And the timetable already figures in extra time to allow for this. Eastbound, the timetable shows 1 hour 13 minutes to go less than 30 miles from Chicago to Dyer. Even more time is allocated westbound, but padding into Chicago is normal on many trains. Now if delays are a problem with the Hoosier State, which runs on the 4 days a week that the Cardinal doesn't, then things have to be even worse westbound when the Cardinal doesn't show up in Indianapolis on time.


Kevin Korell


OTOL Board Leader


Lakewood, NJ


#4 Sloan

Sloan

    Member

  • Global Moderator
  • PipPip
  • 12851 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Harrisburg, PA
  • Interests:Light Rail & Commuter Rail<br>Passenger Rail Stations

Posted 01 October 2014 - 02:53 PM

Amtrak upgrades planned on Hoosier State line

Rail passenger carrier Amtrak announced today it would offer Wi-Fi, food and business class seating on its Indianapolis to Chicago line.

The upgrades on the four-days-a-week Hoosier State will last until Jan. 31, when Amtrak's contract with the Indiana Department of Transportation is set to expire.


Well, that's a start but the train needs to go daily.....and at a faster speed. Note Kevin's comment:

Eastbound, the timetable shows 1 hour 13 minutes to go less than 30 miles from Chicago to Dyer. Even more time is allocated westbound, but padding into Chicago is normal on many trains.


The train is not auto-competitive—appalling!

Sloan

http://www.indystar....-line/16526841/

#5 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 01 October 2014 - 08:02 PM

Amtrak news release, 10/1:

AMTRAK HOOSIER STATE TRAINS NOW OFFER FREE WI-FI, REFRESHMENTS AND BUSINESS CLASS SEATING
INDOT contract extension permits Amtrak to demonstrate capabilities



INDIANAPOLIS -- Amtrak is improving service for Hoosier State passengers who travel between Indianapolis and Chicago with the addition of complimentary on-board Wi-Fi, light food and beverages and Business Class seating, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman announced at a series of events on the route in Indiana today.

The addition of the amenities is effective immediately. Amtrak is demonstrating its capabilities while it continues to operate this service under an Indiana Department of Transportation contract extension through Jan. 31, 2015.

“Amtrak is Indiana’s best long-term choice for safe, reliable intercity passenger rail service that connects its people, communities and businesses to the Amtrak national network,” Boardman said. “Amtrak brings proven expertise in delivering passenger rail service, railroad operations, safety and security, equipment maintenance and repair.”

Boardman’s comments came at Indianapolis Union Station before he boarded a special “whistle-stop” train to tour the route with state and local officials. Also attending were some of the 775 Amtrak employees who are Indiana residents and work aboard trains, at stations or maintain and overhaul rail equipment in Beech Grove, Ind.

The four-days-weekly Hoosier State (Trains 850 & 851) -- together with the three-days-weekly Amtrak Cardinal (Trains 50 & 51) -- provides daily service between Indianapolis and Chicago and enables passengers to reach the national Amtrak network.

AmtrakConnect® Wi-Fi service capitalizes on multiple cellular providers to provide the best mobile experience possible, taking advantage of 4G technologies where available.

“We are continually looking to improve customer satisfaction, and this service is yet one more way to do so, while also delivering the speeds and connectivity required to maintain a competitive position among transportation providers,” Boardman added.

AmtrakConnect is provided at no cost to passengers. In order to ensure the best Wi-Fi experience for all passengers, there will be restrictions on high-volume data- activities, such as streaming video and music, and large file downloads.

Amtrak also completed the addition of Wi-Fi service to other state-sponsored routes in the Amtrak Chicago Hub last December. Nationwide, approximately 85 percent of Amtrak passengers Enjoy the Journey® with free AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi.

Business Class seating, available for a small surcharge, offers wider seats in a two-and-one configuration, with leg rests and foot rests, in a separate portion of the train adjacent to the refreshment area.
About Amtrak®




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users