Traveling Amtrak: The Pretty, and Not-So-Pretty Truth

On 10/24/12, I decided to pay $34.00 for a train ride from the Winter Haven Florida Amtrak Station to Fort Lauderdale, Fl. The train was to depart at 1:43pm. I was to bring my printed ticket and one form of identification. A neighbor dropped me off at the Winter Haven train station and I was 20 minutes early. When I presented my ticket, my neighbor asked the Amtrak official if the train was on time. The Amtrak official matter-of-factly advised that the train was running 30 minutes late. I had signed up to receive email/text alerts if there were any delays, but did not receive any notice.

My neighbor was worried about leaving me at the train station for that long which in and of itself is a problem. I am almost 37 years old and have taught self-defense for many years. So what about this area would cause her concern? Well the station area appears disorderly and unkempt. A steady path of people on bikes riding to and from the station into a local wooded area was also a concern. The area did not APPEAR safe and that does make a difference.

As transportation is encouraged in every city in the US, and this being the cities main public transportation hub, one would think that the station would be more presentable. People should not fear having to wait alone at a train station. Many individuals, who have appeared to make a home in the nearby wooded area, use the tracks, as a transportation hub clearly showcasing that "Trespassing" on the tracks is not enforced. What else is not enforced here is the key question and reminds one of the old Metro Station in New York City, back in the 80's, in which officials found that the "rundown" appearance and lack of enforcement eventually led to rampant crime.

The train was actually about 40 minutes late and when it arrived, the staff rushed us onto the train like a herd of cattle. The staff appeared impatient and was yelling at riders to get back on the train because this was not a "smoking stop". Yet, the Amtrak employee asking to see my ticket blew cigar smoke in my face. We had to step on a metal stool to get into the train while carrying heavy items. I was wearing heels and was trying to carefully enter the steep steps while carrying luggage which one employee finally and half-heartedly assisted me with. The workers were more concerned about assigned seating and looking at tickets than helping me in safely. I felt that I would probably not be treated like this on a plane, so why do I feel this way on a train? I am a businesswoman and was intrigued by how the "surroundings" almost impact your "treatment".

During this process, I felt rushed. I understand that this must be a timely procedure, but it is not the passenger's fault that the train is late.

Once inside, there appeared to be plenty of seats, but I was ordered to sit by a guy who had made rude comments to me. Reluctantly, one of the employees allowed me to sit behind him but warned me that I would not be sitting alone. I told him that was fine. I have recently rode trains in New York and was not given assigned seats so I felt as if this was unnecessary and I did not read about this rule anywhere online.

As the train continued, I began to smell smoke coming from the bathroom, which was near my seat. Nothing was said by anyone, which was fine with me.

I did meet a kind employee who came by several times to ask how I was. Luckily I had brought a Mi-Fi, because free Wi-Fi is not offered on this train like they are on Amtrak trains in upstate New York. I wanted to follow along the train route online to see what areas we were driving through, but this feature was not offered on the train. The seats were very roomy and even had a laptop table and a recliner.

The rest of my trip was uneventful and arriving in Fort Lauderdale, I noticed other available trains that appeared to be better kept. These trains must be funded by other sources. They even had train stations or waiting areas that appeared new or had a fresh coat of paint and brought a sense of safety to them even if located in the "underbelly of some cities.

Some changes that I would recommend are customer service classes with staff. A cursory search of items being placed on the train. You have a train full of passengers and not one person even looked in any of my bags for weapons. They check bags at the courthouse, ball games, and I honestly would not have minded. A phone number for the local police station or a "see something, say something" type sign would be recommended for the Winter Haven train station. Security, police presence, or crime prevention brochures would be recommended as well. This is public safety in its truest form. We cannot neglect one of our oldest forms of travel. Money is most likely scarce but this type of travel is truly exciting and should be financed properly.