Diane sent a message to Joseph H. Boardman – CEO, Amtrak – Email Address that said:
I have taken Amtrak prior to my last trip which was on Sat. July 2, 2016. I left Lincoln, NE on Sat., July 2 at 3:36 a.m. and my final destination was Buffalo, NY. There was no dining car services due to water in the car, and I was told very little food. An attendant brought to my sleeper some cold cereal, milk, an old bagel and a little milk. Then at noon there was no lunch on board, but I was told they got some cold sandwiches. I got one and a bag of chips and a small can of pop. Another problem was there were no bathroom facilities where my car was, and I had to go down steps near a luggage storage area to use the restroom. I have trouble with steps and found this very difficult. My question is "Why when they know how many people are going to be on board, there aren't provisions for those of us who pay for this service and why weren't bathrooms checked before we left?" I do not enjoy paying so much for so little, when even before leaving the train station in Lincoln, we were told about the breakfast and lunch services available to us--however, there were none. Evidently the man telling us about this didn't know about the lack of food and nonworking restrooms.
THEN when I got to Union Station in Chicago, there was very little available in the way of snacks. I was told they had just opened the new "Metropolitan Lounge" for those of us with sleeper accommodations. The old lounge offered much more. In addition, there was really no one watching our luggage we checked in at Union Station except the attendant at the check-in desk, AND while I was sitting near the front desk just waiting 2 black teenagers came in, hopped up on the desk, and would not leave as the lady attendant asked--grabbed her microphone and took off with it. She left to go after them as she could not reach a policeman to help her and therefore, no one was there to watch the luggage. The policeman she hailed in the hallway caught the kids and kicked them out--but for a few minutes it was chaos. The attendant was alone, and in my opinion there should always be 2 in case something as this would occur. The trip from Chicago to Buffalo was okay. I was very disappointed, though, in the service from Lincoln, NE to Chicago Station. Several of us were complaining at Chicago Station and it was suggested we write to you, thus the reason for my message. I am a 69 year old teacher and really enjoy taking the train to visit my daughter in Buffalo, but was very unhappy with the quality of service this time. I only hope my return trip beginning on Friday morn, 12:08 A.M. back to NE will be more enjoyable.
I was on Amtrak last June when we were quite late getting to Buffalo due to flooding between NE and Chicago, however, we were taxied to a hotel and given food vouchers to eat while we were detained. I thought that was really great. This time however, though, it was not a good trip.
I am not at my home but in Buffalo, NY at my daughter's until 10 p.m., Thurs., June 21. My train leaves at 12:08 from Depew Station in Buffalo, NY. I sincerely hope you receive this as I feel some issues need to be addressed if the Amtrak line is going to continue.
