Passenger Trains > Amtrak Moves to Keep the Hoosier State

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=67359


Marty Bernard

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3537148

If all this ado is like what's going on in other parts of the country it should be a lesson to Amtrak that it needs to be more transparent with its customers. IIRC this all started because Indiana was seeking a less costly service.

Several states have put out RFP's soliciting bids for state-supported services, and sooner or later Amtrak will lose.

Maybe if NYS-DOT were to say they are awarding the Empire Service contract to the Adirondack Scenic, Amtrak will come storming in on business cars and restore cafe service on the Albany trains.

Excellent idea!

Actually, Amtrak tried handing the New York-Albany cafe service to Subway a few years ago, but the union folks in New York put forth a little show of intimidation, the Amtrak Police looked the other way when called, and the experiment lasted for half of 1 day.

Amtrak's Marc Magliari hits the nail on the head. Where is this new company that is supposed to be operating the service? MIA! Where is the equipment? InDOT must be staffed with dummies.

Why didn't Amtrak even bother to bid?

Sounds to me that since they did not meet the State's specifications, the
other bidders should get an opportunity before Amtrak does.

Because they knew the other bidders could not run the train, still required Amtrak's cooperation, and Amtrak still needs a shop train.
So when their cover was blown that this little train was such a disgrace with amenities, they straightened up.

knotch8 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Excellent idea!
>
> Actually, Amtrak tried handing the New York-Albany cafe service to Subway a few years ago, but the
> union folks in New York put forth a little show of intimidation, the Amtrak Police looked the other
> way when called, and the experiment lasted for half of 1 day.


Who currently provides the cafe service on the DownEaster line? Is it Amtrak or a vendor?

It's a vendor with a different and better menu, though not sure whose payroll the attendant is on.

Nobody seems to realize that unless things change, the latest Hoosier State extension is only short term, and it still either still goes away February 1, or continues with somebody under a new management and operational contract. That's just 119 days, some of which will be under harsh winter weather conditions, and ticking down.

Tick Tock.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/14 13:36 by NewRiverGeorge.

hazegray Wrote:

> Who currently provides the cafe service on the
> DownEaster line? Is it Amtrak or a vendor?

==========================================================

From Day One on the Downeaster, the Café vendor has been Epicurean Feast,
a catering company based in Maynard, MA. The attendants are Epicurean
Feast employees. They also provide the at-seat complimentary beverage
service to Business Class passengers.

NNEPRA general manager Patricia Quinn told me that Epicurean Feast
vendor was selected for the high quality of food, beverages and service they
promised in their proposal for the service, superior to others proposing to
provide the service including Amtrak; and that they continue to provide
that level of performance.

Amtrak has said the private operator has "no standing" with them; whereas the State of Indiana does.

I wonder if CSX holds the same view as Amtrak. (presumably someone has thought to include CSX in all this).

Joe

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why didn't Amtrak even bother to bid?
>
> Sounds to me that since they did not meet the
> State's specifications, the
> other bidders should get an opportunity before
> Amtrak does.

That's an easy answer. Amtrak couldn't bid as being the present operator the state already knew the amtrak cost structure and allocation Because of the federal legislation in 2008, establishing that structure.

Amtraks costs are known to the states. Amtrak remains ready to extend the contract and is under contract with all of the states where amtrak already operates state supported service, including Indiana on this extension.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/14 16:26 by CREngineer.

knotch8 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Excellent idea!
>
> Actually, Amtrak tried handing the New York-Albany
> cafe service to Subway a few years ago, but the
> union folks in New York put forth a little show of
> intimidation, the Amtrak Police looked the other
> way when called, and the experiment lasted for
> half of 1 day.

The idea that Amtrak should bid its food service out to Subway or any other national "food" chain is revolting. Having a local/regional company provide the food service as is done on the Downeaster per a previous post in this thread is a much better idea.

The food on the Downeaster is far superior to that on the NEC, tastier and more of a choice. They serve "Legal Sea Foods Clam Chowder, and great fresh salads, and very fine subs.

Corridor Capital's response to Boardman's comments.

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=67382

"the process was delayed by Amtrak on several occasions"

The equipment has already been identified and approved by FRA. Most of what the spokesman stated is untrue. Amtrak had the opportunity to participate in the bid process and chose not to cooperate. The extension was built into the contract so the whole issue about Oct. 1 is also spin.

" The idea that Amtrak should bid its food service out to Subway or any other national "food" chain is revolting. Having a local/regional company provide the food service as is done on the Downeaster per a previous post in this thread is a much better idea."

I'd rather have a local food company, but I disagree with you that a national chain is "revolting". I much prefer anything at a Subway or Potbellies to anything in a standard cafe car, and something is better than nothing, which is what Keystone and some Empire trains have now.

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> " The idea that Amtrak should bid its food service
> out to Subway or any other national "food" chain
> is revolting. Having a local/regional company
> provide the food service as is done on the
> Downeaster per a previous post in this thread is a
> much better idea."
>
> I'd rather have a local food company, but I
> disagree with you that a national chain is
> "revolting". I much prefer anything at a Subway or
> Potbellies to anything in a standard cafe car, and
> something is better than nothing, which is what
> Keystone and some Empire trains have now.


I suspect more people dine in Subway restaurants than take Amtrak trains. The brief Subway food service experiment on the Amtrak Empire line was enlightening in many respects.