Train commuters: This is the week your voice may be heard!
You can tell MARC what you think electronically today. I just received this email from MTA:
MARC is conducting its periodic Customer Satisfaction Survey. This is our way to gauge how we are doing … to identify what’s working well and where we need to improve. We also take this opportunity to try to understand more about our customers and to ask about recent or proposed initiatives.
If you would like to take the survey, please click on the link below. The survey will be available at this link through July 31st.
http://survey.confirmit.com/wix/p678716001.aspx
And don't forget tomorrow, July 22, you can tell MARC officials IN PERSON what you think. MARC officials will supposedly be soliciting our feedback about a new parking lot plan from 4ish to 7 or 8ish at the Grove Presbyterian Church Hall at 50 E. Bel Air Ave. Ironic for a bunch of people who are supposed to be running a train organization, but they can't seem to give a consistent message of when the meeting will start or when it will end. But please do try to show up. They need to hear what real commuters really need from them.
5 comments:
Apparently that link was only meant for one person. As a MARC train commuter who commutes from Baltimore to DC daily, I have a question for Aberdeen commuters - Why do you folks get special access to certain Amtrak trains that Baltimore commuters aren't allowed to board?
what do you mean "meant for one person?" i put it in my browser and was taken to the MTA survey.
as to your question, it's not really "special access." other arrangements were needed for travelers who go further north than Baltimore, because half of the northbound trains STOP in Baltimore. if you work a bit late and can't get to the 6:05 train, then your only other option (if not for the deal with Amtrak to take the 7:10) would be to take the 8:40 and get home at 10. it's not fair to those of us who are paying a higher monthly rate than shorter routes to only have half the access to trains that you have is it?
I'd like to share an email with you from the great transportation powers that be. Many of you may have seen the article in the Baltimore Sun last week about the MARC trains and how they have been super-sh#@ty this summer (or something like that). They say the Penn line is only about 81% on time, and the Camden and Brunswick something dismal in the 60s.
As many of you know, Aberdeen is a regular Amtrak stop. Since half of all the MARC trains going north in the evening end--and south in the morning begin--in Baltimore, Amtrak and MARC have a deal (Amtrak owns the rails) to allow monthly/weekly MARC ticket holders to ride certain Amtraks to and from Aberdeen. In the morning, the 6:58 am Amtrak also stops in Edgewood (despite Amtrak's claim below--I'm on it all the time).
So anyway, Wednesday I had to be to work early for a meeting, so I waited for the 5:48 am MARC. At 6:05 an announcement comes on telling us that it isn't coming. It bypassed Perryville and Aberdeen (it was late for whatever reason, and we have the fewest customers to be pissed off) and began the route in Edgewood. We had no choice but to catch the 6:38 am MARC or drive. That sucked, we were late, but whatever.
Yesterday (Thursday), I decide to take the 6:58 Amtrak (since I have a weekly MARC ticket). I get to the station around 6:45, and there's a moving digital sign saying that Amtrak 151 is not stopping in Perryville, Aberdeen, or Edgewood. No reason given. The next available train (MARC or Amtrak) for Aberdeen commuters is the 8:35 Amtrak. Talk about late--and there were a bunch of us. At this point I'm super-pissed. I'm a contractor who charges by the hour, so not only do I spend $100 a week on public transportation--now they are literally digging into my pockets.
So I write a complaint. I want to note that though Amtrak seems to put the blame on MARC here--all MARC conductors are actually Amtrak employees and are in contact with Amtrak employees on the rails.
Here is the string of my complaint and oh-so-helpful response (read from bottom):
_______________________
No, this information was crap. If you read my email, I was talking about not being picked up in Aberdeen, which Amtrak does service. Check out the schedule from your own website.
http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/FareFinder?_tripType=OneWay&_origin=Aberdeen%2C+MD+%28ABE%29&_depmonthyear=2008-08&_depday=01&_dephourmin=&_destination=Washington+-+Union+Station%2C+DC+%28WAS%29&_retmonthyear=&_retday=&_rethourmin=&_adults=1&_children=0&_infants=0&_searchBy=schedule&x=24&y=6
And yes, everyday your train stops in Edgewood MD as part of deal with the MARC train to allow certain commuters access. (Admittedly, I don't know about Perryville, but that the train would not stop at these three stops was part of the message posted on the Amtrak digital sign.) Regardless, please explain why I was left stranded yesterday at a SCHEDULED AMTRAK STOP IN ABERDEEN MD.
-----Original Message-----
From: Amtrak Customer Service
To: (email removed)
Sent: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 5:38 pm
Subject: Re: Travel Feedback [#117995]
Thank you for contacting us.
Amtrak doesn't stop in Perryville, MD or Edgewood, MD that is serviced by MARC you can contact MARC at 1-800-325-7245.
We hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
Taryn
Amtrak Customer Service
--Original Message--
From: (email removed)
Date: 7/31/2008 12:10:25 PM
To: Amtrak Customer Service
Subject: Travel Feedback
Subject: Travel Feedback
Message:
On 7/31/08, the Amtrak Penn Line train scheduled to stop in Aberdeen MD at 6:58 am did not stop at 3 consecutive stops: Perryville, Aberdeen, or Edgewood. Commuters were alerted by a flashing sign as they waited for the train. Since no other MARC or Amtrak trains came until 8:35 am, we were forced to either drive to work or to wait 1 1/2 hours. This caused me to lose that much billable time, and I arrived at work at 10:30 am. This is unacceptable as a service that I pay a handsome monthly fee for. I am tired of late trains, broken down trains, and now no-shows. This is costing me more than the cost of commuting now since I am not even able to bill for a full work week.
_________________________
So apparently there's no recourse. But--one super-nice addition to the Aberdeen station? The 8 or so urinal cakes they added to the tunnel. Looks like they finally realized what they smell was.
I just started riding the train last month commuting from aberdeen to baltimore every day.
I take the 6:58am train everyday. Basically everyday the parking lot is overfilled and people who park anywhere they can fit. It's pretty much a madhouse. 10-15 cars parking in places that aren't regulated spots.
Tonight I got my first ticket. I'm not sure if it was because someone complained about having trouble getting their car through or what.
The ticket was 30 dollars. Pretty insane if you ask me. No warning or anything. It's not like I wanted to park there, or I had much of an option. It's tough when the pick on socially concious commuters who are helping america by keeping the environment clean and avoiding gas.
Is there another lot I can go to? Can someone catch me up to speed on what I should do. Is my only option just get there at 6:30 or take the risk.
Thanks for making this site - I am behind you all the way. Let me know what I can do.
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