Looks Like LOSSAN Is Thinking Outside Of The Box For Surfliner Trains

The LOSSAN Agency has initiated conversations with Amtrak regarding opportunities to provide information to passengers during the booking process indicating how full a particular train is expected to be based on historical ridership data and current reservations. This would allow passengers to choose to shift to a different unreserved train that was expected to be less crowded in order to avoid trains expected to be at peak capacity. In addition, Amtrak is working to offer an airline-style seating map that would allow business class passengers to book a specific seat on the train in advance, including four-seaters for groups of three or more.

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I'm all for picking specific seats in Business Class. Also love the idea of being able to book the four seaters instead of rushing and being dissapointed.

http://www.octa.net/pdf/LOSSANRailCorridorAgency-BusinessPlan2017.pdf

On page 42.

That should be interesting for the computer programmers. Throw in that one single level train set among all of the double levels. Consistency of consists would make this more workable.

Picking a seat should be a no-brainer by this time. I was just in Italy and was able to pick out the seats I wanted on every train I rode. This includes tickets I bought over the internet at home and at travel agents in Italy. Surely Amtrak can find a computer system that will allow such a choice.

If Amtrak had consistent equipment on each train, it would be so much easier to be done.

Airlines know that flight 2732 on 11/24/2017 will be operated with a 737-800. And they can provide a seating chart for a 737-800. On Amtrak, I've even have seen some Superliner coaches with the stairway on the left and some with the stairway on the right. And as said, some Surfliners use single level equipment & some use bi-level equipment.

the_traveler said:

If Amtrak had consistent equipment on each train, it would be so much easier to be done.

Airlines know that flight 2732 on 11/24/2017 will be operated with a 737-800. And they can provide a seating chart for a 737-800. On Amtrak, I've even have seen some Superliner coaches with the stairway on the left and some with the stairway on the right. And as said, some Surfliners use single level equipment & some use bi-level equipment.

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The "stair on the left" or "stair on the right" is a function of which way the reversible seats happen to be turned, not of the design of the equipment. The seats are numbered consistently regardless. Of course, as with sleepers that can be turned either way, some passengers might be upset that the seat which they expected to be on the engineer's side at the front of the car actually turns out to be on the fireman's side at the rear of the car. But, as long as it's the specified window or aisle and with groups seated together, I think such complaints could be handled.

Frankly, I believe that if the equipment shortage could be alleviated and a decent pool of protect equipment assembled at terminals and major enroute stations, this problem could be readily dealt with.

Stairway ? Doesn't that depend on which side you board the train and where the "B" end is located ? "B" to front of train or back ?

the_traveler said:

If Amtrak had consistent equipment on each train, it would be so much easier to be done.

Airlines know that flight 2732 on 11/24/2017 will be operated with a 737-800. And they can provide a seating chart for a 737-800. On Amtrak, I've even have seen some Superliner coaches with the stairway on the left and some with the stairway on the right. And as said, some Surfliners use single level equipment & some use bi-level equipment.

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There is only 1 horizon consist running on the Surfliner according to the PDF above. Also, the Horizon consist rotation during the week is pretty consistent. With the Superliner Car buffer and two business class cars running on the horizon consist, I don't think it would be an issue. I was told that the space in the Superliner is not sold but just used as a buffer. Only the total seats in the Surfliner is sold as revenue.

Already business class is popular and regularly sold out because of the "guaranteed seating." Until August, they are using the dome car as a business class only amenity on the Horizon Consist. With the ability to choose your seats in the future, I can see business class becoming even more popular.