Quick observations from a recent Ann Arbor-Chicago roundtrip:
The newer coaches are starting to grow on me. The trip to Chicago was one of the cars using those stiff-board seats, with the fabric covers, still not a favorite but getting used to them. Miss that gray leather-look vinyl, thought it was smart in appearance, comfortable and easy to clean, wonder what they're doing with them. Regardless, the new midwest cars are the norm so that's that. What is notably different now is Amtrak service. I noticed as well on the last couple of Michigan-Chicago trips that conductors are getting more proactive in helping people find seats together, for example earlier this year a conductor asked 2 single people to move out of a 4 seat config (the one with a table in the middle) so he could get a mom with 2 kids together. This has always been sporadic but appears to be more consistent these days; maybe it's getting to be part of standard procedure now. Further, to aid in boarding/seating, much more clear and informative announcements from station agents and conductors alike. In Ann Arbor, the station agent directed groups and singles to board in different directions, again saving the 4-seats for 2 groups of 4 in our car. It appeared to make the entire boarding process more efficient. There were the usual announcements about every seat would need to be used, but people found the open seats quicker, as conductors marked seats with a different color slip of paper when someone detrained, so that new boarders could find the seats quickly. Good idea, whoever thought of that. On the return, an even newer type of car, seats were more comfortable and featured vinyl instead of fabric, and double the outlet space so that 2 people could both plug in a phone and a laptop. Very appreciated. There was also, something I've never seen, on our trip back from Chicago, this coach had 1+2 seating! A boon for single travelers with so many one-seats available. The onboard digital signage is also working better than it did earlier, although there are still glitches. All in all it's great to see the Michigan trains improving the service.
The newer coaches are starting to grow on me. The trip to Chicago was one of the cars using those stiff-board seats, with the fabric covers, still not a favorite but getting used to them. Miss that gray leather-look vinyl, thought it was smart in appearance, comfortable and easy to clean, wonder what they're doing with them. Regardless, the new midwest cars are the norm so that's that. What is notably different now is Amtrak service. I noticed as well on the last couple of Michigan-Chicago trips that conductors are getting more proactive in helping people find seats together, for example earlier this year a conductor asked 2 single people to move out of a 4 seat config (the one with a table in the middle) so he could get a mom with 2 kids together. This has always been sporadic but appears to be more consistent these days; maybe it's getting to be part of standard procedure now. Further, to aid in boarding/seating, much more clear and informative announcements from station agents and conductors alike. In Ann Arbor, the station agent directed groups and singles to board in different directions, again saving the 4-seats for 2 groups of 4 in our car. It appeared to make the entire boarding process more efficient. There were the usual announcements about every seat would need to be used, but people found the open seats quicker, as conductors marked seats with a different color slip of paper when someone detrained, so that new boarders could find the seats quickly. Good idea, whoever thought of that. On the return, an even newer type of car, seats were more comfortable and featured vinyl instead of fabric, and double the outlet space so that 2 people could both plug in a phone and a laptop. Very appreciated. There was also, something I've never seen, on our trip back from Chicago, this coach had 1+2 seating! A boon for single travelers with so many one-seats available. The onboard digital signage is also working better than it did earlier, although there are still glitches. All in all it's great to see the Michigan trains improving the service.
