News

Angry, Tired Amtrak Passegers Talk

Saturday, December 31, 2005

(New York-WABC, December 31, 2005) (WABC) -- After sitting on the tracks for more than 20 hours, an Amtrak train bound for New York from Orlando finally pulled into Penn Station Saturday. It was more than 24 hours late. The trip left passengers tired, hungry and frustrated.

Eyewitness News' Carolina Tarazona was there for the arrival.

Finally: After more than 45 hours, train Number 98 made it to New York City.

It left Orlando at 1:00 p.m. Thursday. The Amtrak train was scheduled to get here at 10:30 a.m. Friday, but it rolled in nearly two full days after it left Florida.

Officials blame a derailed freight train blocking its path.

Charles Sjugren has been waiting for his wife and 18-month old daughter for 48 hours.

Charles Sjugren, Passenger's Husband: "It could have been handled in a better way. I mean, for her to get on in Jacksonville and sit for 12 hours.. what sense does that make? Tell people to come back another day, put them in a hotel. Do something."

Passengers say that's just it, that Amtrak did nothing and that the conditions they were in were horrendous.

Georgette Mills, Passenger: "They starved us, they didn't want to feed us. Nothing. We were on the tracks for 48 hours and before they fed us it was about 30 hours."

Amtrak passengers say they weren't told why they were waiting, just that they had to.

Bernard Marcoccia, Passenger: "Once we were at a track that was passable they insisted on making all the freight trains, seven, eight ten of them go in front of us and make us wait. And that freight is just going to go sit in a yard somewhere."

Many of these people say so far they haven't been told they'll get their money back.

Damalia Elliott, Passenger: "I went to customer service and asked for a refund. They gave me a number, saying because of the holiday there was no one who could assist me. And so.. to call the number on Tuesday and someone would assist me, and that they're dealing with it case by case."

Patricia Greaves, Passenger: "Amtrak really needs to look at its management, the system, communicate with the passengers. We can understand when there is a delay but you have to communicate."

Amtrak has apologized to the passengers, but so far it hasn't issued a statement on the situation.

Get more News »