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Crew Shortages May Mean Cuts to Amtrak Long-Distance Trains

09 Dec 2021 8:17 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

Something we are all following closely. 

From CNN:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/09/economy/amtrak-vaccine-employees/index.html

--Jackson McQuigg

Comments

  • 10 Dec 2021 9:30 AM | Anonymous
    If service frequencies are cut, does this staff shortage mean a return to Micabuger cafe service on the Silver Star and Silver Meteor, with little or no dining car service for sleeper car passengers? Is Amtrak going to start destaffing stations again where there will be no ticket agents or baggage handlers? Will this be an intent to try and hack off a few routes, only this time, to make sure the trains never come back? Could there be a reduction of stops for Thruway bus locations?
    Again, I will say that Amtrak service to Tampa Bay Area has been terminally ill for decades. There used to be 3 trains daily running out of St. Petersburg serving Orlando and Jacksonville, and beyond. Service to St. Petersburg and Clearwater ended in 1984, and Tampa had its frequency reduced to a single train in 1995; that same year Thruway bus service was compromised to a single location out of St. Petersburg and Clearwater to Pinellas Park. Then, earlier last year in 2020, the Pinellas County Thruway us location was destaffed and moved to a curbside stop outside a Wendy's restaurant, with no signage to identify the location. Perish the thought of Amtrak bypassing Pinellas County altogether and running the west coast thruway bus straight down I-75 from Tampa to Sarasota.
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