steveb
Train Attendant
I have always loved Amtrak, but it was not until this year that I started riding frequently. Service on the Lincoln service train from St. Louis to Springfield has been really good except for a few problems.
Back during the summer I called Amtrak about taking my bicycle on board from Alton Illinois to Springfield Illinois. I was told the train had bike racks and it would cost $10. When the train arrived at the station, I asked the conductor where the bike racks were. He said there were no bike racks and to put my bike in the overhead luggage compartment. I looked at him in disbelief, as the train pulled away i asked him again and he said to put it in the overhead luggage compartment. As I struggled to get the bike up, the conductor just stood there watching. Finally a passenger came and assisted me getting the bike up there. The handle bar was sticking down just a few inches above someone head.
There were no bike racks on the train. I don't see why they charge someone $10 to store a bicycle in the overhead, when they don't charge a passenger for their luggage. It is the last time i take a bike on board. Amtrak customer service should know whether or not bike racks are avaliable on the trains. Plus the conductor was rude not trying to help he as a hoist a bicycle over my head above a full load of passengers. I called customer service and complained. About 4 weeks later I received a voucher for $10.
Then on December 22 I took the same train from St. Louis to Springfield, business class. The only people in business class was myself and two other guys. The floor of the train was filthy and almost every leather seat were torn. As we pulled away we noticed we were sitting backwards. the cafe attendant came in our car and said they forgot to turn the seats and we had to get up as she flipped the seats around. After a few minutes we noticed that there was a strong smell of urine coming from the toilet in the car. One of the other guys got up and closed the door. After two drinks I used the facilities and they were filthy and stinking. I would not have wanted to sit on anything in the toilet. The train originated from St Louis so they did not clean the car from the previous days trip from Chicago. My ticket was $7, plus $14 to ride in a dirty business class car. I guess $21 for a cup of coffee and a two hour ride is a good deal. haha I won't ride in business class again either.
I sent an e mail to Amtrak about the service. It said I would hear something in 4 weeks or so. I love amtrak and I want it to be a great experience. If it had been my first experience on the train i would drive my truck from now on. I only send in complaints because I want the service to be good. I will wait to see if I hear anything on my most recent complaint.
Back during the summer I called Amtrak about taking my bicycle on board from Alton Illinois to Springfield Illinois. I was told the train had bike racks and it would cost $10. When the train arrived at the station, I asked the conductor where the bike racks were. He said there were no bike racks and to put my bike in the overhead luggage compartment. I looked at him in disbelief, as the train pulled away i asked him again and he said to put it in the overhead luggage compartment. As I struggled to get the bike up, the conductor just stood there watching. Finally a passenger came and assisted me getting the bike up there. The handle bar was sticking down just a few inches above someone head.
There were no bike racks on the train. I don't see why they charge someone $10 to store a bicycle in the overhead, when they don't charge a passenger for their luggage. It is the last time i take a bike on board. Amtrak customer service should know whether or not bike racks are avaliable on the trains. Plus the conductor was rude not trying to help he as a hoist a bicycle over my head above a full load of passengers. I called customer service and complained. About 4 weeks later I received a voucher for $10.
Then on December 22 I took the same train from St. Louis to Springfield, business class. The only people in business class was myself and two other guys. The floor of the train was filthy and almost every leather seat were torn. As we pulled away we noticed we were sitting backwards. the cafe attendant came in our car and said they forgot to turn the seats and we had to get up as she flipped the seats around. After a few minutes we noticed that there was a strong smell of urine coming from the toilet in the car. One of the other guys got up and closed the door. After two drinks I used the facilities and they were filthy and stinking. I would not have wanted to sit on anything in the toilet. The train originated from St Louis so they did not clean the car from the previous days trip from Chicago. My ticket was $7, plus $14 to ride in a dirty business class car. I guess $21 for a cup of coffee and a two hour ride is a good deal. haha I won't ride in business class again either.
I sent an e mail to Amtrak about the service. It said I would hear something in 4 weeks or so. I love amtrak and I want it to be a great experience. If it had been my first experience on the train i would drive my truck from now on. I only send in complaints because I want the service to be good. I will wait to see if I hear anything on my most recent complaint.
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