Track Guessing Game at Fredericksburg Irks Riders Options

[KevinKorell]

Letter from reader of Fredericksburg, VA Free Lance-Star, 12/28/03:

When I got to the station, I had no clue as to which platform I should wait on--nor did 30 or 40 other people, mostly going to D.C. We saw no signs to guide us, no agents, no announcements.

The entire letter is here. Very true situation, as I have encountered it myself in Fredericksburg. You never know for sure on which platform to stand when waiting for an AMTRAK train. Freights come by often on either track, and on days when VRE is operating, they often do so left-handed since their platforms are only on one side of the tracks.

[NickG]

From the Free-Lance Star:

There is no one at the unmanned station to announce which track the train will be arriving on. And unlike the Virginia Railway Express, Amtrak doesn't use the public-address system to communicate with passengers.

That leaves travelers guessing which track the train will use. And sometimes they guess wrong.

The full story is here.

[NickG]

From the Free Lance-Star, 2/27/04:

Amtrak begins bulletin
Amtrak starts announcing which tracks some trains will arrive on

After years of complaints by passengers and public officials, Amtrak says it's trying to make it easier for travelers to know on which track the train is arriving at the Fredericksburg train station.

Early this week, Amtrak began using the station's public-address system to tell passengers whether trains were arriving on Track 2, on the east side of the station, or on Track 3, the west side.

Amtrak spokeswoman Marcie Golgoski said the system is far from perfect, but the company is trying to communicate with its customers.

The full story is here.

[KevinKorell]

From the Fredericksburg, VA Free Lance Star, 2/28/04:

While the Amtrak/CSX blame train threatened to circle back on itself infinitely, local officials intervened. Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis, R-1st, and City Councilman Joe Wilson demanded action on behalf of train riders.

This follow-up article is here.

[NickG]

From the Free Lance-Star, 3/6/04:

Amtrak scolded by congresswoman
Rep. Davis tells the railroad she will not back additional funding until track announcements are made regularly at the Fredericksburg station.

The tone of Rep. Jo Ann Davis' voice during a meeting with Amtrak officials yesterday morning caught participants by surprise.

"She's usually very mild-mannered," said aide John Goolrick, who slipped out of the hour-long meeting to chat with a reporter. "Not today."

The full story is here.

[RailHaRRy]

From the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star:

Amtrak tooting its horn
Amtrak making progress at Fredericksburg station

By EDIE GROSS
Date published: 3/19/2004

Plans to provide better track info

Amtrak will take several steps over the next six months to improve communication with its passengers at the Fredericksburg train station, according to a letter the company sent yesterday to U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis.

Full article here.