Amtrak shares on-time performance data on the web. Every agency should do the same

Thank goodness!

Amtrak is now sharing it’s on-time performance data on the web to treat riders as equals. Too many transit agencies (and I count Amtrak as a transit agency for purposes of this blog) treat their internal data on ridership and performance as secret to be spun and manipulated. By releasing “dirty laundry” (as I’ve heard at least one transit agency official call potentially unflattering data like late trains or low ridership), the agency might turn off elected officials or community leaders. This is, of course, backwards.

Information wants to be free. And transit agencies particularly benefit from transparent data, since they depend on continued taxpayer investment to continue to generate such positive economic returns for the community. Sharing all data is a way to tell riders what to expect (a good thing), identify problems with late trains or buses (also a good thing) and generate goodwill among policymakers who don’t like agencies to stonewall.

If the train is consistently late, tell riders (particularly potential riders, who might not know). Every agency has some routes that run late. Tell the people! Let them plan out their trips with all relevant information! Don’t hide information.

Here’s what Amtrak is doing. Every agency should do something similar. (And Amtrak should break out each train by route, particularly with state-supported service in Illinois, but it’s a great step in the right direction).

We know that on-time performance is an important ingredient in fulfilling Amtrak’s quest for providing quality customer service. As many of you know, the tracks Amtrak trains travel outside of the Northeast Corridor are owned by various freight railroads. We offer this information as an opportunity for you to follow along as we work with those railroads on the path to improvement and to assist you in planning your trip.

City of New Orleans 58
 (Chicago – Memphis – New Orleans)

On-Time Performance
April 2008: 46.7%

Primary Cause of Delays
Train Interference: 61.0%

  • 96.2% on CN – IC (Former GTW and IC)
  • 3.8% on Amtrak
Operational: 11.0%

  • 100.0% on CN – IC (Former GTW and IC)

Blog

May 18th, 2008

4 responses

4 responses


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Rob

This is definitely a step in the right direction. But the data does not appear to be on Amtrak’s site. The link takes you to the main reservations page.

Its not the most user-friendly website (another problem) so perhaps it takes some counterintuitive navigation?

May 20, 2008 12:07 pm

Dan Johnson-Weinberger

It’s at the bottom of the page under “Historical On-Time Performance”

May 20, 2008 9:24 pm

FRANK

I am waiting for the day that Amtrak has an better on time Performance vs the Stupid Airlines.

Walking to the Train is not the same as the Post 911 Airline Security; at all Airports across the world, encluding removing all shoes.

People, as pump fuel prices keeps going up, so will Airline Tickets, soon will be gone are the discounted prices.

People traveling on busuness should finally pay their fair share,

It will be about time that business travelers and Exspecially Executives have to travel in Coach like a shardeen unless they themslevs pay the difference of a full fair /ticket and first Class/Buseiness Ticet

And that goes without saying. Amttrak’s NE Trains has the deluxed class

Why should business/executives travekers get preformance treetment vs the regular traveler?

I have travel the regular trains. and if one is going from say Phila to NY or Phial to Wash. not only is it cheeper, the same leight of time, vs the deluxed trains, but still faaster vs flying on a stupid airrplane.

Yet SEPTA goes from 30th Street to the Airport. their is still Post 911 Security hassele.

Living in Minneapolis, I have Delta Miles have gone to London.
Yet, Airports are no pinics. but, once you get to London. their is s fast train into Centrall London and through out England and the rest of Europe, however, it makes mor sense to fly direct to Paris, and the Long Distiance is their at the door, short walk after Customes.

Trains in Europe generally run on time. therefore, so , should Amtrak!

Furthuremore, we don’t have enough Amtrak Service outside Chicago, equitment, People to run the trains, and it is rather expensive to get it started.

No President have been pro-Amtrak. yet,Mr. Obama is not thrilled, yet, he does not put donw Amtrak the way Bush Jr. did.

However, sense the Amtrak funding has been cut, it has not sense caught up with the cost. and that goes with-out saying.

Sense Amtrak must rent from the Frieght, CSX, NS, BNSF, CP, CN, UP and so on. their is Rent to go on their tracks!

Generally on time. all it takes is to check their status on their web site, vs the Old od school calling up the local number, pesstering them with silly questions. the fact is, Amtrak is cutting jobs, and therefore, short help when needed.

Bedromm space veries on Sleeper to Sleeper Trains seasons, and as the sleepers it is best to check ou their website at Amtrak.com

The neatest people to mmet on the long distiance are the Amish and Mingnights. (not sure on their spellling) however, I am being respectful!

I chatted with some of these guys,.

Yet they travel by Hourse and Buggy, at their place of tourist, they too have cell phones, website. and so on.
Only at their place of buseiness. their schools are still the Strict old fashion way on teaching. and therefore, neither agree or disagree.

That was one convertation. and this has to do with visiting with the guys while on the Amtrak Train

and enclosing, these guys said “My Community was doing a farmers market on Tuesday September 11th, 2001, when the Trains crash into the WTC and saw People yelling and running”

On the Capitola Limited, I chatted with someone. I wiull not say whom it is for respectul and his privacy.

This person said. “on September 11, 2001. I along with otehr People while rieing on the train saw the 3rd plance going into Washington dangerously low and then crash into the Pentongone. right after the announcemet was made about the WTC crashing. and the 4th plance shortly crashing between Pennsy Turnpike and the Pennsy Mainline. near houseshoe curve.

and only the Railbuffs know what is the Pennsy mainline.
and the route of the old Broadway limited.

April 5, 2010 5:38 pm

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