Amtrak train delays are too much. We give up on taking Amtrak.

[Anonymous]

We were happy to discover Amtrak for my DD coming from about an hour away (along the 95 corridor) to the DC area. But, dang. It's getting impossible. Now I'm going to be back on the road driving an hour to get her and an hour to get back home for future visits. (and then again on the return). So, at a minimum of 4 hours in the car b/c Amtrak trains can't run anywhere near their schedule.

Right now her train is 1 hr 47 min. delayed --- and it's only an hour ride! Last time it was an hour delayed. She loves the ride on the train, but if it can't be within 20 min. of the scheduled time, then it's really just not worth it.

Does anyone know why Amtrak trains in the I-95 corridor are so unreliable?

[Anonymous]

Try the MARC Commuter trains. Or VRE. Both can also run late, but usually not as late as Amtrak.

[Anonymous]

It's because Amtrak doesn't own the tracks and the freight rail companies that do screw Amtrak over all the time (and Congress pays more attention to the freight rail $ than to Amtrak, as also evident by the fact we still don't have any reforms a year after E Palestine)

[Anonymous]

VRE only runs in the opposite direction -- it goes south when we need it to go north. And vice versa.

Back to traffic and creating more pollution on 95. Thanks Amtrak.

[Anonymous]

Hmm, we rode this week to NY and back with no delays or issues.

[Anonymous]

I take the Acela pretty frequently to and from NYC and rarely have delays, but maybe Amtrak prioritizes keeping the Acela on time?

[Anonymous]

Which train are you taking? I take Amtrak to Richmond about once every couple of months, and I've found that booking the NE regional is much better than the Palmetto, I'm assuming because the Palmetto's route is much longer and therefore has more room for error.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I take the Acela pretty frequently to and from NYC and rarely have delays, but maybe Amtrak prioritizes keeping the Acela on time?

Yes, they do.

[Anonymous]

I have found that the short route are much better but agree that every once in a while the delays are just horrible. It really is a shame.

[Anonymous]

I gave up on Amtrak to NY and now I just the Vamoose or Gold bus.

[Anonymous]

She needs a car. Why is her transport on you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmm, we rode this week to NY and back with no delays or issues.

They are not usually very delayed. OP sounds a little melodramatic.

[Anonymous]

2 hrs and 12 min this time. Over an hour last time. You try standing in the cold, darkness and/or rain for a couple if hours wondering when your train will show up.

The whole benefit of the train is that you accept their schedule *(less flexibility in your plans in return for getting to your destination without the hassle of traffic). If they are two + hrs late; it makes a one-hour car ride look like a much better option.

[Anonymous]

I was on Acela Monday to NYC and yesterday from NYC to Boston. No delays whatsoever. You’re being dramatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2 hrs and 12 min this time. Over an hour last time. You try standing in the cold, darkness and/or rain for a couple if hours wondering when your train will show up.

The whole benefit of the train is that you accept their schedule *(less flexibility in your plans in return for getting to your destination without the hassle of traffic). If they are two + hrs late; it makes a one-hour car ride look like a much better option.

The app shows where it is in real time I believe. So no need to wait outside for hours wondering…