November 28, 2001: Downeaster
service (Boston-Portland ME) schedule is now in Amtrak's computer and online
at their web site, Amtrak.com. Service begins Dec. 15, 2001.
As of Nov 20, Amtrak's web
site was programmed incorrectly for those wanting to book the new service;
it should be fixed by now. One problem was that it did not recognize "Portland"
as being anywhere but in Oregon, and would not recognize "Portland, ME."
Even after one chose Boston North Station, it would not give you service
to "Portland" or "Portland, ME." The reason was that a programmer had programmed
in the city code POR (the correct city code) as "Portland Starts 12/15,
Maine." If you typed in the city name "Portland Starts 12/15" it worked
okay.--Gene Poon.
President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., of the United Transportation Union on Nov 15 issued a statement that was highly critical of Amtrak management. Quote: "If Amtrak is to survive, prosper and serve, we need a proactive Amtrak management team that is fit, willing and able to work for a viable national passenger rail network. And we need that new team now."