Passenger Trains > Cincinnati Unstaffed Amtrak Station Update

I had to go down to the Cincinnati Amtrak station again this morning to pick up a friend coming back from West Virginia. Two months into the new unstaffed setup and Amtrak's caretaker temp agency still has not figured out how to run the station professionally. However, to their credit, they did add a little sign with the checked baggage station codes.

Read the original post about the Unstaffed Cincinnati Station from June HERE.

Doors were still open to unauthorized parts of the container and the Union Terminal building itself. This included open access to under construction areas of the Terminal. With no signage directing people to the waiting area, someone could easily get lost in the construction zone. How hard would it be for the caretaker to close the door leading to the construction zone? This might not be an outright safety hazard, but it is certainly a security and liability risk. The employees only area of the former ticket office was left unlocked and unattended while the train was in the station.

A skateboarder, who was not riding the train, managed to make his way up to the platform. He nearly hit some people before the conductor asked him to leave. One conductor was busy assisting a confused handicap passenger who had been told to wait at the wrong end of the platform by the caretaker.

One major downside to the new trainside checked baggage is that most passengers have to wait until all checked baggage is loaded/unloaded before they can get on board the train.

The Amtrak train crew was professional, but the station clearly needs better trained caretakers and more supervision from Amtrak management. The problems are not going to get better without intervention from someone. As luck would have it, Ohio's bipartisan congressional delegation is getting involved: 

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/07/26/senators-attempt-force-amtrak-restaff-union-terminal/841651002/

About 20 people got on and about 15 people got off the westbound Cardinal. 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/18 02:06 by TWC.

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Photos of the open employee only area and the checked baggage station codes:



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/18 02:17 by TWC.

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Nothing says "thanks for choosing Amtrak" like some portable restrooms and a passenger platform access corridor filled with tripping hazards:

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Write the above up, send to congressional delegation, mayor, and Amtrak Board chairman, and state you are bypassing Anderson as he and his management team are too pompous, arrogant, and stupid to manage their operations and lack a safety culture, despite propoganda to the contrary.

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/18 05:29 by joemvcnj.

Looks inviting.

Interesting. You can self-check your bags to Sebring and Deerfield Beach, despite Sebring being destaffed and Deerfield Beach no longer offering checked baggage.

Posted from iPhone

How long before Union Station is finished?  This is my favorite station...Was so cool getting off the Cincy Limited in 68 and waiting to change to the Pan American for the last 100 miles to Louisville.....And more thing... I am really surprised at Wick for approving this clown Andersen....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/18 05:33 by bluesboyst.

Newton Kansas isn't on that list, but it has checked baggage?

CIN has gone all cutting edge rustic-exposed element-techno-industrial design.

Would a real transportation company put themselves in this position (posted all over the internet)?

NOT!

This peanut gallery stuff is good s***........