Overcrowding at CUS

[chertling]

But you are the "City of Brotherly Love" bet that account for a part of the good service.

City of Brotherly Love???? Does that explain why, within 10 minutes of my arrival in town, I got into a shouting match with a subway attendant? He mocked me for having issues with the turnstile, stating "haven't you ever used a vending machine before?!?" when I asked for assistance. The darn thing took my token but didn't let me though... Being my first time on SEPTA, I didn't know the coin return (with my token in it) was way down by the floor.

 

[FrankStar]

But you are the "City of Brotherly Love" bet that account for a part of the good service.

City of Brotherly Love???? Does that explain why, within 10 minutes of my arrival in town, I got into a shouting match with a subway attendant? He mocked me for having issues with the turnstile, stating "haven't you ever used a vending machine before?!?" when I asked for assistance. The darn thing took my token but didn't let me though... Being my first time on SEPTA, I didn't know the coin return (with my token in it) was way down by the floor.

Hey, that counts as an overy-friendly greeting amongst us Fluffians...;-)

 

[Bob Dylan]

But you are the "City of Brotherly Love" bet that account for a part of the good service.

City of Brotherly Love???? Does that explain why, within 10 minutes of my arrival in town, I got into a shouting match with a subway attendant? He mocked me for having issues with the turnstile, stating "haven't you ever used a vending machine before?!?" when I asked for assistance. The darn thing took my token but didn't let me though... Being my first time on SEPTA, I didn't know the coin return (with my token in it) was way down by the floor.

Hey, that counts as an overy-friendly greeting amongst us Fluffians...;-)

Didnt this city Boo Santa Claus @ an Eagles Game??? Go Cowboys!!!!

 

[njdon]

The last several times I have been at CUS, the overcrowded conditions in the coach waiting room have been horrendous. Lines waiting to board trains are out the door. Even those sitting are finding it difficult to get seats where they can sit close to their travel companions. The one bathroom is inadequate for the number of people it serves. Those who know the locations for other washrooms throughout the station find long lines as well.
I would have thought this problem would be only a summer thing when families are taking vacations. However, I was at CUS in September, after school had started and at the end of April and it wasn't any better. Now we are approaching another summer travel season.

The fiasco last Christmas, which made National news, was exceptional for being outrageous. But even aside from that, being at CUS is just plain stressful.

This forum recently had a topic about how to change CUS to accommodate the passengers. It's time for Amtrak to take note and do something about it.

I've often wondered why when the train is in the station there continues to be a 'line-up' at some Amtrak stations. What are they doing on the train that has pulled in from the yard while the passengers wait? It's my experience that the line-ups occur in Boston, Washington, Chicago, New York, and Philly althought there are ways around the line-up in the latter two. I'm sure there most be a rationale since lining everyone up simply means there is a rush once the gates are opened, somewhat the opposite of what would seem most desirable. In stations like Newark, Trenton, Metro Park, and Baltimore a passenger can wait in the station or on the platform and no one seems to care. Why the difference?

As an aside I've used the MetroLounge in Chicago and found it to be overcrowded and poorly managed with passengers lining up to get their tickets checked and lining up again to board their trains, sometimes the lines are so long it's difficult to move at all and as often difficult to hear the announcements made by staff in the lounge

 

[Bob Dylan]

The last several times I have been at CUS, the overcrowded conditions in the coach waiting room have been horrendous. Lines waiting to board trains are out the door. Even those sitting are finding it difficult to get seats where they can sit close to their travel companions. The one bathroom is inadequate for the number of people it serves. Those who know the locations for other washrooms throughout the station find long lines as well.
I would have thought this problem would be only a summer thing when families are taking vacations. However, I was at CUS in September, after school had started and at the end of April and it wasn't any better. Now we are approaching another summer travel season.

The fiasco last Christmas, which made National news, was exceptional for being outrageous. But even aside from that, being at CUS is just plain stressful.

This forum recently had a topic about how to change CUS to accommodate the passengers. It's time for Amtrak to take note and do something about it.

I've often wondered why when the train is in the station there continues to be a 'line-up' at some Amtrak stations. What are they doing on the train that has pulled in from the yard while the passengers wait? It's my experience that the line-ups occur in Boston, Washington, Chicago, New York, and Philly althought there are ways around the line-up in the latter two. I'm sure there most be a rationale since lining everyone up simply means there is a rush once the gates are opened, somewhat the opposite of what would seem most desirable. In stations like Newark, Trenton, Metro Park, and Baltimore a passenger can wait in the station or on the platform and no one seems to care. Why the difference?

As an aside I've used the MetroLounge in Chicago and found it to be overcrowded and poorly managed with passengers lining up to get their tickets checked and lining up again to board their trains, sometimes the lines are so long it's difficult to move at all and as often difficult to hear the announcements made by staff in the lounge

And it was remodeled,not too many years ago it was off the Great Hall in a temporary location(which actually seems better in hindsight!)

Having all the Western Trains leave so close together is one of the prooblems but the bottleneck @ the entrance and exits IS fixable,

training ALL of the staff better wouldnt hurt either!(some are great,some phone it in, some are rude and abrupt, the Bears or Cubs must have

lost! :lol: )A better organized and staffed lounge is the interm solution,more room or rescheduling the trains is THE solution to crowding!

 

[sky12065]

The last several times I have been at CUS, the overcrowded conditions in the coach waiting room have been horrendous. Lines waiting to board trains are out the door. Even those sitting are finding it difficult to get seats where they can sit close to their travel companions. The one bathroom is inadequate for the number of people it serves. Those who know the locations for other washrooms throughout the station find long lines as well.
I would have thought this problem would be only a summer thing when families are taking vacations. However, I was at CUS in September, after school had started and at the end of April and it wasn't any better. Now we are approaching another summer travel season.

The fiasco last Christmas, which made National news, was exceptional for being outrageous. But even aside from that, being at CUS is just plain stressful.

This forum recently had a topic about how to change CUS to accommodate the passengers. It's time for Amtrak to take note and do something about it.

I've often wondered why when the train is in the station there continues to be a 'line-up' at some Amtrak stations. What are they doing on the train that has pulled in from the yard while the passengers wait? It's my experience that the line-ups occur in Boston, Washington, Chicago, New York, and Philly althought there are ways around the line-up in the latter two. I'm sure there most be a rationale since lining everyone up simply means there is a rush once the gates are opened, somewhat the opposite of what would seem most desirable. In stations like Newark, Trenton, Metro Park, and Baltimore a passenger can wait in the station or on the platform and no one seems to care. Why the difference?

As an aside I've used the MetroLounge in Chicago and found it to be overcrowded and poorly managed with passengers lining up to get their tickets checked and lining up again to board their trains, sometimes the lines are so long it's difficult to move at all and as often difficult to hear the announcements made by staff in the lounge

And it was remodeled,not too many years ago it was off the Great Hall in a temporary location(which actually seems better in hindsight!)

Having all the Western Trains leave so close together is one of the prooblems but the bottleneck @ the entrance and exits IS fixable,

training ALL of the staff better wouldnt hurt either!(some are great,some phone it in, some are rude and abrupt, the Bears or Cubs must have

lost! :lol: )A better organized and staffed lounge is the interm solution,more room or rescheduling the trains is THE solution to crowding!

Jim, I first started using the Chicago Metro Lounge back in 1992 and in the earlier years I did find the lounge to be over crowded.

However, both this year and last year where I traveled west bound to the SWC and east bound to the LSL I found the lounge expanded and saw no evidence of any over crowding. It must be a hit or miss thing and if the over crowding is happening to any appreciable frequency, then I've have been lucky all 4 times!

 

[AlanB]

Jim, I first started using the Chicago Metro Lounge back in 1992 and in the earlier years I did find the lounge to be over crowded.
However, both this year and last year where I traveled west bound to the SWC and east bound to the LSL I found the lounge expanded and saw no evidence of any over crowding. It must be a hit or miss thing and if the over crowding is happening to any appreciable frequency, then I've have been lucky all 4 times!

You've been lucky. I've been in the lounge pre-expansion where it was SRO or pull up a floor tile.

Since the expansion things have been much better, although it still can get very busy and crowded. One of the worst things that can happen though is to for example have both the LSL and the Capitol arrive within 10 minutes of one another. That creates a huge line at the door waiting to check into the lounge.

 

[sky12065]

Jim, I first started using the Chicago Metro Lounge back in 1992 and in the earlier years I did find the lounge to be over crowded.
However, both this year and last year where I traveled west bound to the SWC and east bound to the LSL I found the lounge expanded and saw no evidence of any over crowding. It must be a hit or miss thing and if the over crowding is happening to any appreciable frequency, then I've have been lucky all 4 times!

You've been lucky. I've been in the lounge pre-expansion where it was SRO or pull up a floor tile.

Since the expansion things have been much better, although it still can get very busy and crowded. One of the worst things that can happen though is to for example have both the LSL and the Capitol arrive within 10 minutes of one another. That creates a huge line at the door waiting to check into the lounge.

You're saying basicly the same thing I stated, just in a little different way; that the crowding problem improved post-expansion.

I also agree with you about the waiting to check-in. If there is no line or just a few, as it was the last time I used the lounge, I do the check-in while my wife takes care of the bags then I find myself a seat. If there is a long line, I just go straight in to find a place to lite, my wife leaves all the bags with me while she goes and checks in and then gets and check in any bags if necessary after the check-in. We have never had any problems from the lounges attendants doing it that way and that might be because my difficulty with walking is obvious.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The last several times I have been at CUS, the overcrowded conditions in the coach waiting room have been horrendous. Lines waiting to board trains are out the door. Even those sitting are finding it difficult to get seats where they can sit close to their travel companions. The one bathroom is inadequate for the number of people it serves. Those who know the locations for other washrooms throughout the station find long lines as well.
I would have thought this problem would be only a summer thing when families are taking vacations. However, I was at CUS in September, after school had started and at the end of April and it wasn't any better. Now we are approaching another summer travel season.

The fiasco last Christmas, which made National news, was exceptional for being outrageous. But even aside from that, being at CUS is just plain stressful.

This forum recently had a topic about how to change CUS to accommodate the passengers. It's time for Amtrak to take note and do something about it.

I've often wondered why when the train is in the station there continues to be a 'line-up' at some Amtrak stations. What are they doing on the train that has pulled in from the yard while the passengers wait? It's my experience that the line-ups occur in Boston, Washington, Chicago, New York, and Philly althought there are ways around the line-up in the latter two. I'm sure there most be a rationale since lining everyone up simply means there is a rush once the gates are opened, somewhat the opposite of what would seem most desirable. In stations like Newark, Trenton, Metro Park, and Baltimore a passenger can wait in the station or on the platform and no one seems to care. Why the difference?

As an aside I've used the MetroLounge in Chicago and found it to be overcrowded and poorly managed with passengers lining up to get their tickets checked and lining up again to board their trains, sometimes the lines are so long it's difficult to move at all and as often difficult to hear the announcements made by staff in the lounge

And it was remodeled,not too many years ago it was off the Great Hall in a temporary location(which actually seems better in hindsight!)

Having all the Western Trains leave so close together is one of the prooblems but the bottleneck @ the entrance and exits IS fixable,

training ALL of the staff better wouldnt hurt either!(some are great,some phone it in, some are rude and abrupt, the Bears or Cubs must have

lost! :lol: )A better organized and staffed lounge is the interm solution,more room or rescheduling the trains is THE solution to crowding!

Jim, I first started using the Chicago Metro Lounge back in 1992 and in the earlier years I did find the lounge to be over crowded.

However, both this year and last year where I traveled west bound to the SWC and east bound to the LSL I found the lounge expanded and saw no evidence of any over crowding. It must be a hit or miss thing and if the over crowding is happening to any appreciable frequency, then I've have been lucky all 4 times!

I think you were lucky Joe,the last 4 times I was there it was SRO with the Western train pax waiting,early arrivals for the later evening/night trains,

and people who came in in the morning or TE hanging out since same day sleeper pax are welcome!Ive enjoyed it,dont misunderstand,

it just could be better organized and I still think the trains could be scheduled better and maybe the staff increased and a better ticket check

system implemented to ease the lines and the long journey through the station to the platforms(follow the leader!)Maybe because you do

have help Joe its easier for you,my experience is its everyone for themselves in there! (when I was there last time

the late arriving CZ/EB crowd came into the lounge while the holding the CL/CONOL and various folks that came in on the SWC and I believe even LSL pax were filling all the seats,it was very loud,could not hear announcements and the

place was filled with luggage since it was too late to check it for the connection folks!)

 

[PetalumaLoco]

I was there last October, eastbound early in the month, about 3/4 full, and westbound at the end of the month, it was fairly full. Other than a bit of a wait checking in, not a big deal. Comfortable, no hassles. We'll be there again Tuesday.

 

[Donctor]

City of Brotherly Love???? Does that explain why, within 10 minutes of my arrival in town, I got into a shouting match with a subway attendant? He mocked me for having issues with the turnstile, stating "haven't you ever used a vending machine before?!?" when I asked for assistance. The darn thing took my token but didn't let me though... Being my first time on SEPTA, I didn't know the coin return (with my token in it) was way down by the floor.

Hey, we here at SEPTA do our best. And like any agency, we hope the few bad apples do not represent us as a whole.

Anyway, it's my last day at SEPTA so I figured I'd say something.

 

[AAARGH!]

City of Brotherly Love???? Does that explain why, within 10 minutes of my arrival in town, I got into a shouting match with a subway attendant? He mocked me for having issues with the turnstile, stating "haven't you ever used a vending machine before?!?" when I asked for assistance. The darn thing took my token but didn't let me though... Being my first time on SEPTA, I didn't know the coin return (with my token in it) was way down by the floor.

Hey, we here at SEPTA do our best. And like any agency, we hope the few bad apples do not represent us as a whole.

Anyway, it's my last day at SEPTA so I figured I'd say something.

According to your profile, you are 17 and from Chicago. How do you come to work at SEPTA and in what capacity (Intern?)?

Just curious.

 

[Paul CHI]

The main problem at CUS is the fact that most Amtrak trains leave from the east end of the south concourse while Metra uses the west end of the south concourse. many Amtrak departures occur during rush hour. Many Amtrak passengers are not very agile, and it would be undesirable to mix them with the Metra commuter crowd, who form a solid mass of purpose-driven bodies. I'm able-bodied but honestly fear for my safety when I have to cross the Metra flow for any reason.

The current Amtrak lounge is located to allow Amtrak boarding without crossing Metra foot traffic (except to get into the lounge, but that involves individuals rather than groups).

So the current waiting area is in a logical location. The problem is that it was developed when Amtrak traffic was declining and is now dreadfully inadequate for seating, sanitation, food service, and bathroom usage during peak traffic times.

The Great Hall requires crossing Metra traffic to get to the Amtrak gates. I use it when I have time to burn, but it would be unacceptable as a place from which to move large groups of people.

What's needed is money to overhaul the existing area if possible - enlarge, add restrooms and food service, improve air circulation, etc. Also, it wouldn't be a good idea to have people wandering around on platforms when trains come in - the platform pillars make traffic congested when only boarding and arriving pax are using them.

As for the gate ****s, that's a different issue. I do think the degree of nastiness has subsided about 25% from its peak but there's still room for improvement.

 

[Everydaymatters]

At one time the great hall had restroom facilities for public use.

A couple of years ago I was in the great hall for an hour or so and observed people going into what was at one time the restroom. It looked like they might have been Amtrak personnel. Does anyone here know if that is now used by the train attendants?

It would be most helpful if they would again open those up to the public. They were on the west side, just about in the middle of the great hall.