Amtrak
reviews and complaints

10-20-2022 I took Amtrak from Libby MT to Williston ND this was the Fourth time I have took a train for travel in my fifty years and probably the last. The train was for hours late getting to Williston ND I could deal with that, But the one thing I could not handle was I was eating and kept seeing clumps of dust falling down by my food. I looked up between the window and luggage storage above my seat where the light is located there was massive amounts of dust and other things. I the only time I have ever seen so much filth was in a condemned house. I had to wear my mask on the train just quit from inhaling the crap. I took pictures and a video of it. They need to take more pride into their cleaning this was just plain unacceptable.

The trains pass through residential areas blaring horns not just all day, but all night as well. There is a station about half a mile away from a family members house and the noise is so loud he gets woken up all night. He is elderly and the inconsistency of his sleep has lead to hypertension and risk of heart attacks. I thought he exaggerated, but staying over to help him a while ago the horns are used often and they are louder than the tv on full volume. I have no idea how this is legal, and in these days of technology I have no idea why it is necessary. The have their own paths, nobody is surprised a train is active on train tracks. No need to alert their presence as it is there, but even further crossings have safety equipment. Trains can be tracked and communicate over multiple means. I don’t know much about trains, except they’re a great transportation option, but I doubt the horns serve any function other than alerts. There are definitely a thousand ways to solve this problem without being so inconsiderate of the people in surrounding areas. The use of horns was so gratuitous and arrhythmic that it seemed malicious even.

This incident occurred on 10/17/2022 on bus 6313 from Eureka to Martinez, starting at 7:45 and ending at 1:45. The bus driver was extremely rude and had a power complex. He first pulled my luggage off of the bus as I was putting it on, saying I had to sign in first, and was very rude about it. He then grabbed my luggage off of the bus and demanded confirmation that I would not sit in the first two rows of the bus. Later on, he asked if I was still upset, and I told him I was. We argued back and forth and he Personally insulted me, saying "something is wrong with you" for being upset. I payed a large amount of money for this trip and was treated horribly. If this issue is not resolved, I will never use Amtrak bus services again and will not recommend anyone to use it, if this is the standard for their drivers.

First of all, I'm NOT looking for something free. I know it's been way too long, and I should have said something sooner. I'm writing this complaint because a friend who is elderly and disabled (as am I) recently returned from a trip to Portland, OR, and says conditions have not changed.

In July of 2019, I traveled to Tucson, AZ (round trip). I won't elaborate on the trip to Los Angeles or the trip from there to Tucson. The discomfort I endured on those legs of the trip pale in comparison to the nightmare that was the trip from Los Angeles to my home town.

The train was filthy. I was traveling business class on the lower level (as I said, I am elderly and mobility impaired). Shortly after leaving Los Angeles, all of the restrooms in our car stopped working. For the remainder of my journey, I had to climb to the second level and go forward two cars to use the restroom. That trip, and the return to my seat were agony. Plus the fact that the restrooms in the other care were also filthy. I won't dwell on other disgusting aspects of my journey home. I can tell you that your trains are no longer Amtrak to me; they are Amtrash (Amcrap?).

Hi,

I really have been on the fence about submitting this complaint.

I am an avid train fan - try and ride Amtrak at least once a year for my "fix".

This agent was so outrageous, I keep thinking about it an am finally sending this to you hoping something will be done.

I was on the California Zephyr 6 train from Emeryville to Chicago. We left emeryville August 22 - returned from Chicago to Emeryville leaving Chicago August 27.

I spent over 4 thousand dollars on this trip, getting a large sleeper.

I was with my boyfriend - his first time on such a long train ride.

We were both very much looking forward to the trip.

Day one, August 22, my boyfriend and I went to the dining car for lunch.

We were seated with a couple who were sitting across from each other. I sat next to the woman, my boyfriend across from me sat next to the man. Both in the other couple were heavy set.

My boyfriend had his laptop with him on the floor in front of him between his legs.

An attendant (later learned his name is Michael JEFF) walked by and tripped over my and almost landed in my boyfriends lap.

Valerie, the dining car attendant came to our table and told my boyfriend to get out of the aisle. He was not in the aisle. The couple we sat with and we had no idea why she had come at my boyfriend that way.

A few minutes later another attendant ( Mr. Jeff) stomped towards us, ad leaned in to my boyfriend yelling to "GET OUT OF THE AISLE. I TRIPPED OVER YOU TWICE!". I said, No, you tripped over me". Mr JEff continued to yell at my boyfriend, "YOU WILL MOVE OUT OF THE AISLE OR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM!"

The couple we sat with left saying "this is ridiculous! WHY are they acting this way?"

My boyfriend was facing the kitchen and saw that they were still talking about him. I was stunned. THEN the conductor showed at our table. Asked my boyfriend what happened.

My boyfriend calmly said what happened, and I said that the man( JEFF) had yelled in my boyfriends face and lied saying he'd tripped over my boyfriend when he had tripped over me.

My boyfriend and I left. I was nearly in tears and told our attendant in 6032 OC who was wonderful! what had happened. I saw the conductor later and said that man owed my boyfriend an apology. We spend over 4 thousand dollars on this trip and that was just uncalled for.

My boyfriend and I tried dinner that same night. Ended up sitting with the couple we had sat with for lunch. All noticed everyone in the dining car's legs and arms were out in the aisle- nothing was said to them.

My boyfriend didn't return to the dining room again, not for dinner that night or then next two days to Chicago. He didn't go to the dining car on the way home from Chicago to Emeryville. The meals are included in the cost of the trip but we just didn't go back bc of what had happened.

I saw my friends who were in car 631 on Tuesday, August 23 and asked them if they knew the name of the guy who had yelled at my boyfriend at lunch the day before. Suddenly Mr Jeff jumped out of his room which was across the hall from our friends and yelled throwing his arms in the air. "THAT's ME! AM I THE ONE YOU WANT TO KNOW THE NAME OF?! " I said, 'Yes." he yelled, " MICHAEL JEFF J-E-F-F! MY NAME IS MICHAEL JEFF - AGAIN - THAT'S J-E-F-F!" I didn't know if he was drunk, or just nuts.

I heard others complaining that they got nothing they needed or asked fro from Mr. Jeff, like towels , water, coffee and things for their room.

Anyway, I felt you should know. I've been riding trains for over 50 years. LOVE them - have never ever had an experience like this before. Again, I'm sorry to complain it's just not what I do, and this interaction had an extremely negative effect on what should have been an amazing experience. I am finally letting you know.

Thank you

Alison Urdan

Amtrak member -

Member # [protected]

[protected]@netscape.net

On the morning of 09/30/22, I was to catch the early train from Topeka and was notified via email it was running a little late. I called Amtrak customer service and got a rude/nasty girl who kept telling me the arrival in Topeka would be two hours late. All I wanted to know is if I would make my connection in Kansas City (Missouri River Runner) in time. She proclaimed "I don't know what you want me to say - it's going to be 2 hours late". I explained to her that the app said it was only 1 hour and 31 minutes late. She hatefully said "nope, it's 2 hours late". I hung up the phone then redialed the customer service number and got a nice young man who couldn't tell me a different answer...except that it was 2 hours late - but, he was nice. The app on my phone, however, said it would be 1 hour (now) 39 minutes late arriving in Topeka but only 55 minutes late arriving in Kansas City. He had no answer for that confusion...but, after his recommendation of canceling the two separate Kansas City and the Topeka trips and then rebooking them together, I did that and felt confident that I would make the River Runner in time since it was only 55 minutes late into KC. The train made up time and were assured over the train intercom "not to worry, we would definitely make our connection". We pulled into Union Station right alongside the train we were to transfer to, the Missouri River Runner. I was excited to know I would soon be on the next leg of my trip and on time. Soon after the announcement about us making the connection, we heard that we should all remain seated as they were going to hook up two more cars for the next leg of that particular trains trip. Then, as the train was not moving, we were told we were sitting there waiting on a cargo train to pass. That lasted about 10 minutes. Then we began to go in reverse. We hooked up one of the extra passenger cars...then the other. As the second car was being attached, the Missouri River Runner began to pull away from the station. Oh No! They left without me. Frustrated and one of the first people off the train, I spoke to an employee and said I missed my train (yes, it was literally just yards away from where I stood moving away quickly). He said, yes, we know there were several of you who were to board that train. I asked why we couldn't get off to get on that train. He said because it was not safe. I understand that, but we sat for 10 minutes waiting for a cargo train and we could have gotten off and been on the River Runner before it departed. He told me they radioed the River Runner and told them the situation then asked them to wait 10 minutes to which they were told "No". We had to be rebooked on the next train that left 8 hours later thus we had to hang around the station all day long to board our train. I missed a meeting, a visit/lunch with a friend, and had to rearrange a pick up in St. Louis for that night. There is also the matter that I booked Business Class on the AM train and there were no Business Class seats on the PM train. This frustrating day did not need to happen for us. These are just not good practices and I feel I should be compensated in some way for the poor decisions of Amtrak representatives that day. This makes me furious. And today I received a survey online about my trip. I filled it out. It was the poorest survey I've filled out for Amtrak. I've been happy with my service, ride, and comfort in the past. Not this time, Amtrak...not today.

I have been trying for over 2 weeks to contact Amtrak regarding a complaint. I have been on hold for over an hour each time. I have used travel feedback. I have emailed twice requesting that someone contact me. I was injured on their train & not given proper attention when I asked the Amtrak Police for assistance.

I have heard ZERO from Amtrak. This last time when I FINALLY got a real person...he disconnected me when he heard the word "injured".

Do you have a contact # for their executive offices?

Attendant was rude and short after I called about the loss of a very important item and stayed consistently polite. Called back a few hours later to see if item had been found, and she hung up on me instantly, which is incredibly unprofessional. Working lost and found (connection by pressing 2) at Washington Union Station on September 26th, 2022. Would not answer inquiries or provide any adequate assistance.

My dad was discriminated against yesterday at the Seattle King Street Amtrak station. I asked for extra assistance for him reminding him where to get off the train and told the Amtrak employee this need. I believe the employee is named Archer. I told him my dad has Alzheimer's and may need a reminder to get off at the stop in Vancouver, WA. My dad lives alone, drives, travels alone and was doing nothing wrong. He boarded the 2:12pm train from Seattle to Eugene yesterday, September 23rd and was approached by Amtrak employee while seated on the train and was forced to exit the train! He was stranded in Seattle and was mistreated, scared and deserves an apology, a refund along with compensation for pain and suffering. I received a call from the conductor of the train and explained that my dad is fine travelling alone - he simply needs a reminder when to get off. The conductor seemed very understanding and was fine with my dad travelling. Unfortunately, my dad had already been kicked off of the train! This needs to be made right. It was scary, sad and heartbreaking along with a huge inconvenience as I had to drive my dad and change my entire weekend plans. I will be seeking legal counsel regarding this discrimination and breaking of the law. State and Federal law Americans with Disability Act: "Amtrak prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability".

I had purchased Amtrak Train Tickets on July 9, 2022, traveling to Pittsburgh on August 8, 2022 and returning back from Pittsburgh on August 19, 2022.

The terrible experience I had was when I was traveling to Pittsburgh, PA on August 8, 2022. The train was scheduled to be in Huntingdon, PA at 4:23 pm. It was not on time. It was closed to 4:45 pm when it arrived. In addition to this, they were no seats for me to sit on in the train. I had to walk from one Train car to another with the White male Conductor following me behind all the way to the last car like as if I was a Criminal because I am an African American woman with long hair. He harassed me for my Train ticket to scan it while I was standing with a heavy luggage, a Tote bag, and shopping bag. He was very inconsiderate. I had to stand from the time I entered the Train in Huntingdon, PA till the Train stopped at Atloona, PA for people to get off. The seat that I found was dirty and had food stains on it. I had to use my Hand Sanitizer and Face Tissue to wipe down the seat before sitting down.

Usually, when a Passenger enters the Train, the Conductor that collects or scans tickets, waits untill the Passenger is settled down in his/her seat or found a comfortable spot to stand before asking for Train ticket. This White man following behind all the way is unacceptable and disrespectful. I purchased my Train tickets and paid for them in full. Why should I be harrassed by a White man in the train because I am a woman? I called several times last saturday, August 20, 2022 and I was transferred to a called by service and I was hung up on. I had to call back again, only to be told that the Customer Relations doesn't open on Saturdays. That I should call back from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm. I called today August 22, 2022, using the called back service. I was hung up on. I called back again and decided to hold. I was holding on the phone for 34 minutes and 53 seconds before I got a response and was transffered to Customer Relations. I held for 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 24 seconds. Nobody picked up the phone.

On August 12 I had tickets for my dog and I to travel from NYC to Rhinecliff NY. Both tickets were paid in full ahead of time, and I scoured the Amtrak website for their protocol… in addition to the pet ticket, the only requirements were that the dog be less than 20 lb (mine is 17 - and had Vetinary documents to prove weight) and a form be filled ahead of time, which I did.

When I arrived to the station my dog and I were prevented from boarding - despite the fact I had all my documents in order. I was told - this carrier does not meet our standards- so you can’t board. Interestingly one person wanted to let me on - while the other person - with venom in his eyes refused. I stated that carrier guidelines are not listed on their website so it is discriminatory to state such now … fast forward I was not allowed on the train - WHILE A WHITE PERSON WHO ALSO HAD A DOG WAS … I am convinced racism came into play here. True RACIST BEHAVIOR!

This regarding Amktrak Vacation Reservation # : 599855

I called the Amtrak Rewards line to get our vacation put on my account.

The gentlemen I spoke to said there was a problem with the hyphen in my name, which we resolved quickly. Then he noticed that the other problem was that the sleeper cars on trans 2 and 6 (Southwest Chief and California Zephyr) for the reservation had been removed from the trains due to electrical issues. So he transferred me to Amtrak Vacations.

The gentleman I spoke to indicated that due to manpower shortages, the sleeper cars could not be manned for those trains on our dates, but then said they had a roomette on the Southwest Chief but only Coach on the Zephyr. Since he was not able to give us a bedroom, I had to cancel the rip.

We have lost the $678 we paid for the insurance and ended up Amtrak credit for $2407.70.

Here are my issues;

1. Why were we not notified that we would not have our accommodations?

2. What would have happened if I had not contacted Amtrak Rewards? Would we have arrived in Chicago and been put in a roomette or lower and in coach seats in Emeryville, CA?

3. Why the discrepancy in explanations? Electrical or manpower?

4. If all sleepers are being taken off, why is there a roomette available?

5. Why can I not get a full refund? What good is Amtrak credit if this is just going to happen again?

I was on the21 Texas eagle Chicago, IL to San Antonio, tx. 08/09/2022-08/10/2022 departure 1:45pm- arrive 9:55pm. no red cap service lower seats were taken by non-disabled travelers. we were herded into a car that was already full, doors were locked, we (about 15 passengers) could go no where, the train was moving and no help. Finaly a employee shows up, I tried to ask her a question, she said I was yelling at her and she would have me removed. I waited another 10-15 with no help finding a seat, I finally found a seat and when we arrived in Juliet she had me removed by Juliet Police, saying I theatend her. in process I fell several times on train and was taken to emergency room. I was told I forfieted my ticket. I had to fly home because there were no trains. This was so unnessary of her if she would have at least tried to listen everything could have been avoided

So for context I have a bag that I used to pack my clothes game console and laptop in and the bag was too heavy for me to carry so I checked the bag to be handled by someone else so everything was fine till I got off the train and I had to get my bag and the Lady who was getting the bags off the train were throwing them on to the carrier and at first I thought nothing of it till a few days later when I decided to use my laptop and my screen was completely cracked and the lithium ion battery fell out which makes me incredibly worried that something inside the laptop is damaged as well

To whom it may concern,

My name is mr. William j powell jr. Of lake worth florida and on 8/10 I was traveling to orlando to see my daughter. A little background: I had just finished packing and moving our whole 2 bedroom apartment into a storage unit by myself in this heat and having back and neck myiopathy bulging disks in both back and neck after suffering an epidural abscess in 2017. I am disabled and on social security disability retirement income in the state of florida. All of the employees and manager at 205 tamarack st wpb station should be fired for forcing the elderly and disabled outside in 100 degree weather every day when you have a waiting area paid for by consumers and tax payers all because your employees are dicktators and dont want to do any excess cleaning before they go home they are just like everyother damn florida employee who wants to get paid without doing any work for customers and just do the bare minimum. I was refused to buy a ticket for a train via cancelling my 30$ bus ticket for an 90$ amtrak ticket because your manager maureen and luis a mexican and some black employee me leave out into the heat for no reason other than I am white and disabled resident of florida.. Check your video footage if it hasnt been erased. I have photos and video on my phone I will submit at the hearing since I am taking this to an unlimited tort lawsuit.

We bought 4 USA Rail Passes to travel around the USA on our vacation from the UK. Our first trip was from Chicago to Flagstaff on 8 July 2022 leaving Chicago at 02.50pm. Our train arrived in Flagstaff at 08.40am on 10 July, 12hours late. This disrupted our plans significantly as we were not able to use our hotel booked in Flagstaff at a cost of 266USD. We were not provided with any updates by rail staff or apology during the journey to know the status of the journey. We were unable to sleep during the delay as we did not know the estimated time of arrival and the tracker kept on changing the estimated time of arrival.We were not confident to continue the journey onto LA and hired a car. This decision was justified as the train from Flagstaff to LA arrived 4h late on 12 July which would have further disrupted our plans.We are therefore requesting a full refund for the 4 USA rail passes that we purchased due to the significant 12h delay and the additional expenses occurred. Vouchers would be unacceptable compensation as we are international travellers and will not be able to use them.We were really looking forward to the joy of travelling by train across the states and a full refund would go some way to redeeming this unfortunate experience. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you. Dr Andrea and Dr Bob Wellings

In 2020 I scheduled a train trip with Amtrak. It was to be our 50th wedding so I wanted to do something special for my wife. The price was $6,578.76. Before we could go, COVID hit and everything was put on hold. A year later COVID started to settle down so I rebooked the trip. However, just before we could leave a Hurricane hit New Orleans and whipped out the track and the hotel where we were booked. Amtrack gave a voucher to hold until things settled down. I am now 3 years older and my body had deteriorated to a point to where it is hard to walk. So I decided I would just cancel the plan and get back my money.

Over the past two months I have continuously called Amtrax only to wait on the line for up to 1 /12 hours at a time only to be transferred or put on hold and never answered.

I have not used any of their services so I would suspect a full refund. If I could ever talk to someone. I tried their internet service but failed to get any resolution. Please help.

Fredn Buck

[protected]

I am traveling on Amtrak surf liner coast train from Oceanside to Los Angeles. Went to food car to purchase wine and chips. Plastic cups were on counter in open so I took one. The counter person said I should not do that. I asked why and he became enraged saying because of covid. I said the cups are in the open with no sign? He then said I am not serving you. I then went to my seat and looked for conductor of the train. Miss K. Williams said she was the conductor and that she couldn’t do anything. She told me the food counter person name is Mark. I believe that Amtrak should never employ someone who is acting like a thug treating customers this way. I am a 63 year old professional and have rarely encountered this type of behavior not expected on an Amtrak train.

MARTH FRANKLIN

205 DURSTON LOOP

MORRISVILLE, NC 27560

PHONE [protected]

DATE: 7/18/2022

Dear AMTRAK:

This letter is in response to horrible service that we received on one of your trains we were on traveling to Delaware from Cary, NC on 7/10/22. We were on the train in route to see my sister in Dover, Delaware for an important family event. When we got to Wilmington we were going to get off and were at the doors but there was apparently an electrical shortage, and the doors did not open in Delaware.

We had to travel all the way up to Philadelphia but to make matters worse on arrival in Philadelphia we asked a train ticket person what we should do and asked for assistance getting off the train. He was very abrupt, refused to help and started screaming at us. We were unable to get his badge number as he turned it around when we asked for it. We eventually were able to return to Wilmington but at this point we were hours late, missed the car picking us up and had to reschedule the car which cost us more money. This caused us to miss an important event at my sisters which we had spent money to attend. As a result of this horrible service we are requesting a full refund of tickets both coming and going. We returned on 7/14/22 from Delaware to Cary, NC. The other people traveling with me both of whom are senior citizens and disabled and who also received the bad service were Natalie Boone and Mildred Rice. The reservation number was 2E1F7F. Thank you.

Sue Franklin

[protected]@GMAIL.COM

We have been stuck on a train in West Virginia for 10 hours. With no end in site, they have left us sitting on the tracks, and keep telling us that a bus will arrive to help us depart. You can't tell me that there isn't a bus in the United state within 10 hours of here that can get us? I am calling the news and every attorney that I can find to sue your [censored].