File this under "something that bugs me" but, aside from the Atlantic City Line, Amtrak doesn't bother to code for or include commuter railroads in its system. In cases where the commuter operator is "someone else" I can understand this, but Amtrak operates the MARC Penn Line, Metrolink, Shoreline East, and I think they have an MBTA contract as well. I can understand not wanting to cross-list, for example, WAS-BAL MARC service to avoid traffic "leakage" but there's no Amtrak service to Bowie State or Odenton and none is really foreseeable (and in the meantime, Amtrak could probably make an arrangement to book "commuter" tickets attached to long-haul trips at higher rates on its website and split the difference with the state). By comparison, VIA and GO interline in Toronto pretty smoothly. Adding insult to injury is the fact that Metrolink and MARC both use QuikTrak machines and you can print a ticket on Amtrak stock.
This bugs me because of the room to generate traffic in various locales from out-of-town: Locals may know where the commuter train can take them but I suspect being able to get out-of-towners to the "right" station (and giving them an idea how long the commuter train will take) can't hurt with ridership...and in many cases I suspect it would help. Even on a restricted basis, listing MARC trains as an option if Amtrak trains are sold out around a given time (or at least suggesting them as an alternative) would also seem to be a winner...I strongly suspect that Amtrak has lost a few pax traveling LYH-BAL because the train was sold out at WAS...but telling them "Hey, take Amtrak to WAS and connect to MARC" would work for that passenger and Amtrak would still get most of the fare.
I sort-of understand them not cooperating with some lines they don't also operate (if nothing else, ticketing systems not cooperating would be an issue) though even there I'd think it would be worthwhile to pursue a direct link option if you could get the commuter railroad to cooperate...and I suspect that being able to offer through ticketing might help them on some commuter contract bids.
This bugs me because of the room to generate traffic in various locales from out-of-town: Locals may know where the commuter train can take them but I suspect being able to get out-of-towners to the "right" station (and giving them an idea how long the commuter train will take) can't hurt with ridership...and in many cases I suspect it would help. Even on a restricted basis, listing MARC trains as an option if Amtrak trains are sold out around a given time (or at least suggesting them as an alternative) would also seem to be a winner...I strongly suspect that Amtrak has lost a few pax traveling LYH-BAL because the train was sold out at WAS...but telling them "Hey, take Amtrak to WAS and connect to MARC" would work for that passenger and Amtrak would still get most of the fare.
I sort-of understand them not cooperating with some lines they don't also operate (if nothing else, ticketing systems not cooperating would be an issue) though even there I'd think it would be worthwhile to pursue a direct link option if you could get the commuter railroad to cooperate...and I suspect that being able to offer through ticketing might help them on some commuter contract bids.