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Amtrak - Thrown Off

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Shirley of Ojai CA (12/27/05):
On December 26th I boarded the train in San Diego, California bound for Ventura, California. We were informed prior to reaching Los Angeles that we would have to get off the train at Norwalk and take buses to LA.

The train was fully loaded with holiday passengers. I was seated in the lower portion for elderly and handicapped persons and there were many people there who were having a hard time exiting the train. We were told that they were working on the tracks and so thought that this was an emergency situation.

There were many buses waiting and many of the elderly and handicapped people were having difficulty getting around, i.e. hearing problems and not understanding what was going on, vision problems, difficulty walking and carrying their luggage when not expecting to have to do this etc. Also there was a Mexican man who did not speak English and did not understand why he had to exit the train.

When we got on the bus the driver told us they always do maintenance work on the holidays as there is less traffic then. However, when we got back on the train a woman who was on another bus told us that her bus driver said it was because they had to do paperwork before the end of the year so they could get paid.

Whatever the reason, it is unacceptable on a holiday weekend when the train is full to have this happen. Unless it is an emergency this should be done at another time. I ride the trains several times a year and so am familiar with what should be going on. I believe this should be looked into by the Amtrak officials.

Joan of Fairfax VA (10/10/05):
I am a regular Amtrak traveler in the Northeast Corridor, traveling frequently between Washington and New York. Overall, hopping a train is much more pleasant (and less of an ordeal) than running the security gauntlet at the airport.

Until last week.

On Tuesday, October 4th, I was on my way home from New York aboard Amtrak’s Regional # 127. Things had gone reasonably well until we stopped and lost all power just north of Edgewood, Maryland. I waited with other passengers for the trip to continue, until conductors asked everyone to leave the train and walk the quarter mile or so to the next platform.

So off we went, jumping down from the last step to the rail bed below, suitcases in hand. We stumbled along the giant rocks as best we could, some making the trek better than others.

I have a neuromuscular foot disorder, so I had an especially hard time until a gallant young guy offered to carry my suitcase. There were others in worse shape—with walkers, wearing high heels, etc. Eventually, we all reached the Edgewood platform and were "rescued" by a train bound for Miami.

While I’m not normally opposed to adventure, it wasn’t part of the package I signed on for.

I have written to Amtrak requesting a voucher good for another trip on the Northeast Corridor, preferably with no unscheduled side-trips.

Glenn of Tampa FL (10/10/05):
I boarded the southbound train at Raleigh, NC. I told the conducter that I had recently had a quadruple heart surgery and I needed a window seat, with privacy. I also said I have a hearing problem and that the VA is providing a hearing aid solution. He (the conductor) asked me "do you have two tickets?"

Later, because the train had lost several hours, we stopped at Winter Haven. Instead of traveing to Tampa, as originally scheduled, the Tampa and Winter Park Passengers were to disembark at Winter Haven. Because of my hearing problem, I didn't hear the cxhanges. The conductor said a nasty remark, when I disembarked, a remark not to be repeated. I resented it. I expect professionalism, not racism.

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