by Mackensen
Tadman wrote:Perhaps this is less about money than it is about distractions.Anecdotally, this is consistent with other things I've observed over the past year:
Consider this: What business is Amtrak in?
1. For-profit corridor transport
2. State-supported corridor transport
3. Long distance railroad transport
4. Commuter trains for cities
5. LTL package transport
6. Rolling stock design, procurement, and IP ownership
7. Real estate
8. Food service
9. Special stuff - PV's, Fall Excursion, Steam
Perhaps this is less about money than it is about a cultural focus on the core business toward the top of that list. My biggest gripes with those services are focus-related issues. Service is not consistent. Procedure is horribly inconsistent. Training is even worse as we saw in the recent Cascades accident. Maintenance is erratic with HVAC problems and intense noise and rattles in first class accommodations.
Given that non-NEC special moves were shown to be massively profitable (but small in nominal dollars), I think this isn't so much about money as it is distractions. Anderson is sending the right message, the message that the core business must run like a safe and well-oiled machine before they're going to consider running specials and steamers. If this is the case, it is a big step in the right direction.
- A consistent branding initiative, including the websites, dining car menus, and timetables. That speaks to a good deal of internal coordination.
- New food items in the dining cars, with an increase in price. As I mentioned in the Cardinal thread, the meals I had in January were genuinely good.
- A more responsive social media posture. Amtrak has been much more proactive over the last couple months about tweeting out delays and the reasons for those delays.
- The new report card for host railroad delays. It's rare for Amtrak to publicly point the finger like that.
- Anderson's very public pro-safety stance before Congress. I doubt Amtrak will actually cancel a train over PTC; the purpose here was to get Congress' attention then quietly walk it back. Mission accomplished.
- Consistent stories in newspapers about Amtrak's liability issue as it pertains to the host railroads. You can be sure Amtrak cooperated with those stories.
- Delaying the proposed Rockland extension of the Downeaster. It was never practical and would just tie up scarce resources.