Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote user="cruisingthepast"]Amtrak is an embarrassment. It has been from its beginning. The name "Amtrak" even makes one cringe. When you continually hear people boast about America being the greatest country in the world - Amtrak is always edited out as it could only qualify as one of the worst run organization in the world.[/quote] To describe Amtrak as the worst run organization in the world is quite an indictment.  It is a bit over the top. I took three long distance Amtrak trips in 2009, as well as corridor trips from LAX to San Diego, San Francisco to Sacramento, Pittsburgh to Philadelphia (short haul train), Philadelphia to New York, and Philadelphia to BWI.  Also, I rode the Texas Eagle from Temple, TX to Dallas three times during 2009. The corridor trains were quick, dependable, clean, economical and safe.  They were not as quick as so-called high speed trains, but they more than met my needs.  Well, the Acela, which I rode once from Philadelphia to New York, meets my definition of high speed. Most of the Amtrak personnel that I encountered did a good job of serving me.  Oh, I ran into the odd sorehead, but they were few and far between. Amtrak does an effective job of running the corridor trains, at least according to the statistics that it publishes, especially those in the NEC.  It is challenged by the long distance trains because of schedule infrequency, aging equipment, dependence on sometimes hostile hoist railroads, and relatively few passengers.  The biggest challenge facing Amtrak's management is the oversight provided by 536 self appointed board members, who are convinced that they know more about running a passenger railroad than the hired management team.  We know them better as the House of Representatives, Senate, and President.  Throw in the Vice President and it becomes 537 board members.  Given the political constraints besetting Amtrak, it is no wonder that they have to struggle against some stiff odds.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag