For Amtrak's benefit, and ours

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

Michael H. McCoy

Jamers P. RePass slotted by bcrandellr immed by meiler Madison, Wisc. President & CEO The National Corridors Initiative Boston, Mass.

Posted April 2 2006

I was sorry to read the letter [by Richard Cooke of Deerfield Beach, "All Not Aboard," posted March 19 at South Florida.com] which reported poor on-time performance problems that led him to cancel his planned Amtrak trip to New York City.

Such an experience certainly can leave a bad taste in a passenger's mouth and Mr. Cooke has good reason to be unhappy. And he points out a good tip for others planning an Amtrak trip: check the train's on-time performance in the days before your trip so you avoid surprises and have a chance to consider your alternatives. Going to Amtrak's Web site (www.amtrak.com) allows you to gather that information easily.

But I would encourage the letter writer and anyone else dissatisfied with an Amtrak trip to take some specific further actions. Besides writing Amtrak, write to the private railroad(s) which Amtrak uses if you believe at least some of the train delays can be attributed to poor traffic management by the host railroad(s).

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[AKA]

Good point. Compliants to private roads might have some impact, if there are enought. You tell two people and they tell two people ect. Some where down the line maybe we run into someone that does shipping on those roads. Maybe a rail fan that works in the shipping department of a major corperation. Granted a lot to hope for , but who knows?