Got a Problem with your Commuter Rail Agency or Bad Amtrak Service? Dont Call NARP!

[Anonymous]

I have been having a customer service issue with both Amtrak and the Boston T or Commuter Rail Line. Yesterday I called Trainriders Northeast to see if they could advocate for me (Even though I live In Cleveland a I Spend a Fair amount Of time in the New England Region). Trainriders Northeast is the Local National Association Of Railroad Passengers Affliate. I called there number and got a man On the Phone who was very cranky and even Irate that I called him. I told him that Already emailed and called both Amtrak and the Boston T about My problem and that they had not responded despite the Ts "Write to the Top Program". "What are you calling me for?",,,,Well sir YOU are the local Associtaion of Railroad Passengers and I am a Railroad passenger and I was hoping that you can represent me. "All we do is try and keep Amtrak here in New England" Well you MUST know somebody you you can respond to me at the "T",,, No I am sorry I dont know anyone personaly and even I am the President of Trainriders Northeast and the Vice President of NARP all that will do is get me a cup of coffee. We went round and round about how he was SUPOSE TO ADVOCATE for me or at least co-sign a letter to the T so that SOMEONE would respond but he kept saying thats not his job.I Hung Up frustrated[:(!][V][B)]....But I remember about 6 years ago I wanted a refund on the second leg of a Airplane flight because of bad weather that gave me the jitters and after a quick call to the National Association Of Airline Passengers I got my Refund and a First Class ticket on Metroliner to boot and they were very Helpfull. So If Ralph Naders NAAP can help Airline Passengers in distress Why Cant National Association of Railroad Passengers do the same?

[dharmon]

RR Police tossed you out of a box car again, huh?

[Anonymous]

If i wanted a smart answer I would have surfed another forum. Seems that you obsesed with me everywere I am am you are Mr Dharmon?? I suggest that you seek help.

[dharmon]

This is what my counselor recommended as therapy.


How's your multiple personality disorder coming along, by the way?

[Junctionfan]

I have to admit it sound rather retarded to have an advocate group if that is what it is, not trying to advocate for somebody who may or not be getting the shaft. As fars as having to be a due-paying member and getting something for nothing, again I don't know this group but automatically I want to picture somebody from UNICEF not helping somebody because they were not a member or a contributor and thinking to myself how wrong that would be. Someone help me out in understanding this please.

[Anonymous]

An advocacy group advocates for an idea or at least a position on an issue. They are not in existence to "represent" the public. They also generally do not have the proper license to do so.

LC

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

I have to admit it sound rather retarded to have an advocate group if that is what it is, not trying to advocate for somebody who may or not be getting the shaft. As fars as having to be a due-paying member and getting something for nothing, again I don't know this group but automatically I want to picture somebody from UNICEF not helping somebody because they were not a member or a contributor and thinking to myself how wrong that would be. Someone help me out in understanding this please.

Andrew, they are advocates (lobbiests FOR passenger travel, not travelling passengers...regardless of how many personalities are travelling on the same ticket))
http://www.narprail.org/

[Junctionfan]

Ah ha......"individual membership". Sounds like an American Auto Association for passenger trains. I think I understand now.

[Anonymous]

"NARP is the only national organization speaking for the users of passenger trains and rail transit. "

Well if they are the only orgonization then they can do a better job,,,,Geting the trains and getting goverment support for trains is one thing............getting and KEEPING riders is another[#dots]...Once you have the trains treating people right keeps them coming back. I like VIA rail and there customer service is next to none. Come to think of it I like Air Canada too so maybe the canuks are just nicer people[:)]. One way the railroads chased people away from the trains was by making the service soo bad that no one wanted to ride them.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Clevelandrocks

"NARP is the only national organization speaking for the users of passenger trains and rail transit. "

Well if they are the only orgonization then they can do a better job,,,,Geting the trains and getting goverment support for trains is one thing............getting and KEEPING riders is another[#dots]...Once you have the trains treating people right keeps them coming back. I like VIA rail and there customer service is next to none. Come to think of it I like Air Canada too so maybe the canuks are just nicer people[:)]. One way the railroads chased people away from the trains was by making the service soo bad that no one wanted to ride them.

Among the things I learned over several years on a short line that ran a dinner train, are that:

1. Passenger trains seldom can do any better than break even; and,

2. Not every passenger will be satisified no matter how hard the crew tries.

Oh, and the grass is always greener on the other side is a life lesson I learned elsewhere...

LC

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Clevelandrocks

"NARP is the only national organization speaking for the users of passenger trains and rail transit. "

Well if they are the only orgonization then they can do a better job,,,,Geting the trains and getting goverment support for trains is one thing............getting and KEEPING riders is another[#dots]...Once you have the trains treating people right keeps them coming back. I like VIA rail and there customer service is next to none. Come to think of it I like Air Canada too so maybe the canuks are just nicer people[:)]. One way the railroads chased people away from the trains was by making the service soo bad that no one wanted to ride them.

What the hell are you talking about? Air Canada sucks like a F-5 tornado in Texas! You must not watch Canadian news too often. Think Delta Airlines and multiply by 3. Canadian government hates the way Air Canada is and it is obvious that VIA and regional lines like Westjet and Jetsgo are being beefed up because the government is sick of bailing Air Canada out. Their prices are retarded and make no sense (I can take a plane from Pearson to Boston for 150 but to San Fransisco for 170 (3 hours more)). Pearson Airport in Toronto is a royal pain in the butt. Air Canada is an airline most likely to delay, linger and loose bagage as some people have reported.

[oltmannd]

NARP is an advocate for rail passenger SERVICE, not individual rail passengers, per se. They are very, very small and have a very small budget. It's amazing they do what they do considering their size and funding.