I think most would agree with Mr. Palmland's assessment of changes that Amtrak needs to make. I don't think, however, we will see improvements in Amtrak's employee selection, standards, and discipline.
The 3 main and largest Amtrak needs, in my opinion, are:
1. A very, very significant improvement in on-time performance. I hope Amtrak will be able to put teeth into the requirement for freight trains to yield to Amtrak, I'm getting very tired of the northbound Coast Starlight being 2 plus hours late into the Bay Area.
2. A complete change in onboard services. Significantly improved food, comparable to the food once served by private passenger trains before Amtrak. Even if they have to add new kitchen and diner cars or contract out additional kitchen and dining cars to private interests. I would pay a little more for good food, rather than be on a LD train for 1-2 days with such lousy food. Lounge cars on every long distance train with food service morning through evening, to supplement the dining car.
3. Amtrak should start realizing it's a passenger train, not an airline, and bring back website PDF timetables whatever the cost and bother.
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