What would your ideal Amtrak station look like?

[DET63]

I have been to many stations, and I am going to say: PSNY is the only station I have been to, the only one, where I have never been asked for money.

I was in NYP this week and I am going to say: A man followed me down the stairs while I was boarding a NJT train begging me and others for money while he smoked a cig. I'm sorry... but THAT needs to be stopped if possible.

Now on the other hand.. I didn't really care that much and if i had had some change I would have even given him some. I also realize that this is New York city for crying out loud and I expect it to some degree. I have much respect for the homeless and I truly wish them the best and help them when I feel safe about it, but that is me. I think that the safety and comfort of the PASSENGERS should be the top priority of the railroads.

If you're concerned about the homeless, the Salvation Army and other churches and charitable organizations often do or try to do a lot to help them out. Volunteer your time or donate money to reputable charities that exist in your community to help the homeless. I personally think that helping homeless families, especially those where one or both parents work full- (or at least part-) time, should be a place to put forth one's time and energy, but I'm sure there are other homeless who could benefit.

Now, back to the topic of this thread . . .

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I have been to many stations, and I am going to say: PSNY is the only station I have been to, the only one, where I have never been asked for money.

I was in NYP this week and I am going to say: A man followed me down the stairs while I was boarding a NJT train begging me and others for money while he smoked a cig. I'm sorry... but THAT needs to be stopped if possible.

Now on the other hand.. I didn't really care that much and if i had had some change I would have even given him some. I also realize that this is New York city for crying out loud and I expect it to some degree. I have much respect for the homeless and I truly wish them the best and help them when I feel safe about it, but that is me. I think that the safety and comfort of the PASSENGERS should be the top priority of the railroads.

It does happen, I'm sure. It is New York City, as you said. But I have never been to WAS, CHI, NWK, NYG, or HOB without being asked for money several times over the course of a day. I even have the automatic sentence "Sorry, I don't carry cash on me." primed on the tip of my tongue whenever I go to them.

 

[jis]

It does happen, I'm sure. It is New York City, as you said. But I have never been to WAS, CHI, NWK, NYG, or HOB without being asked for money several times over the course of a day. I even have the automatic sentence "Sorry, I don't carry cash on me." primed on the tip of my tongue whenever I go to them.

I wonder if one of these days I will run into an innovative beggar who carries one of the mobile credit card machines, like they use on Amtrak, and as soon as GML says "no cash", will whip one out and ask "Mastercard, Visa, Discover or American Express?" :lol:

 

[GG-1]

It does happen, I'm sure. It is New York City, as you said. But I have never been to WAS, CHI, NWK, NYG, or HOB without being asked for money several times over the course of a day. I even have the automatic sentence "Sorry, I don't carry cash on me." primed on the tip of my tongue whenever I go to them.

I wonder if one of these days I will run into an innovative beggar who carries one of the mobile credit card machines, like they use on Amtrak, and as soon as GML says "no cash", will whip one out and ask "Mastercard, Visa, Discover or American Express?" :lol:

Aloha

Some time ago a newspaper did a story about panhandling in a supermarket area. The concluded the So called homeless were earning double the area standard income, the Article writer even followed some of them home to very nice houses.

Only reason for my comment, it takes all kinds.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Honestly, there are street entertainers with penthouses viewing Central Park. Take the Naked Cowboy for instance. The man has a corporation selling his various merchandise. Ever read Sir Arthur Connan Doyle's The Man With the Twisted Lip?

It doesn't bother me much, actually. Some of those entertainers are quite entertaining. If they want to make money that way, god bless 'em. It gives New York its atmosphere. I do object to people just walking up to me, giving me a ****-and-bull story about how he just lost his job and needs to feed his 3 wives, 12 children, 6 dogs, and 2 baby goldfish, and asking me if I have money to spare. I honestly respect small time con-men more. At least a shell-game man plays to his mark's greed rather then falsely to their human compassion.

 

[user 1215]

Under 25,000 alightings, and an airconditioned Amshack with comfortable pews would be great.

There are existing stations where the facilities are a lot more impressive than what you are suggesting, despite far lower annual ridership numbers.

True enough. However, most were either a) paid for by a municipality, or b) built back when the passenger count was much higher.

I did want to clarify that lodging is mostly important for stations with a significant amount of overnight transfer traffic.

 

[Palmland]

Most of the suggestions have been about functional requirements for a station. While very desireable, I think it is more important that a station be something of a real statement about the city and the railroads (Amtrak / transit) serving it. Who hasn't had their jaw drop a bit when entering Grand Central, Los Angeles, 30th St, Washington, or Cincinnati for the first time. Don't we look forward to trips that include a terminal of their grandeur. And in fact, many living in those cities consider them a destination for shopping/eating/or just having a glass of wine/beer.

So my perfect station would have the architectural magnificence of those great terminals, the capacity for transit/intercity trains of a 30th st., a bar/restaurant as nice as the Oyster Bar that is suitable for a toast to the pending trip, and am Amtrak first class lounge that was truly first class and not something of an after thought, as in most cities. Parking? Who needs it when you have streetcars, light rail, subways and local transit serving the station.