BELOW IS LETTER I SENT TO AMTRAK - No reply no help !
My father before he died wanted to take me on a train ride from Chicago to California, a father son trip we had never had a chance to take, I purchased this trip for him and flew to Chicago to take the train back to California with my father because its something he always wanted to do with me ! What was supposed to be a father son trip ended up being a complete nightmare and traumatized my father.
My father and I were on the Zepher from Chicago to Sacramento on these dates 12th to 14th January 2014, my father is handicapped so we had requested a room with a bathroom because he cannot walk while train is in motion for he has use of only 1 legg and 1 arm. When we boarded the train there was a very foul stomach turning smell of “excuse my language” POO AND PEE!
We were told by the conductor that the septic system had malfunctioned and they would fix it at the next stop in Lincoln I believe he said! Needless to say this was not fixed we complained numerous times, we told the conductor my father could not leave the room to use bathroom unless train was stopped due to his handicap and yet nohing was done, we were told all the rooms were filled.
My father had numerous accidents in his pants because he could not hold it, the smell on train was so bad I threw up myself from the smell !On last night of trip we were offered a smaller room at far end of the train were we would spend the last 12 hours of the trip, is was to far from dining car so we were stuck in room yet again !
I called up AMTRACK when we got home and requested a full refund due to the inhuman conditions we were forced to endure , I explained to them my father was handicapped and had no choice but to have accidents in his pants because he had no bathroom in his room, also the unhealthy smell we had to endure and AMTRACK simply offered me a $300.00 credit , they told me they provided me with a service and I must pay for it, I asked them how living a nightmare can be called a service? I asked them if they felt it was right a 70 year old handicapped man should have to poo and pee in his pants FOR 3 DAYS .
This is an outrage, my father was traumatized over this ordeal it was 3 days of pure hell. This was supposed to be a handicapped mans father son getaway dream thing he always wanted to do ! What I would like first is an apology from AMTRACK to my father in WRITING, then I would request a complete refund of money, not a credt for travel a complete refund to my credit card ! This I feel is not out of line for the torture we were put through. I ask you how is it ok to make a handicapped man go to the bathroom in his pants and they tell us that they provided us with a service?
I will not simply go away with this, i exspect AMTRAK to do the right thing !
One of the things that really bothers be is AMTRAKS response stating they provided me with a service? I ask again what service did you provide me? .
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Bob
Petaluma,California,
1 ARM 1 LEGG
#4Author of original report
Mon, January 27, 2014
You either work for the railroad or you simply didnt read my statement !
My father has use of one leg and one arm, while train is in motion rocking back and forth its impossible for him to navigate down the very narrow hallways, this is why we made SURE we had a room with a bathroom !
Even people who have perfect use of both arms and leggs you see almost falling over at times when walking.
The only way he could leave the room was when the train was stopped !
MochaG
Springfield,One more question
#4Consumer Comment
Mon, January 27, 2014
Were you traveling in the same room with your father? If so, why didn't you help him going to the bathroom?
Stacey
Texas,Question
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, January 26, 2014
When you booked this trip did you let them know that your father was handicapped??? And NO I do not work for them I just would like to know the answer to my question
Making Reservations for Passengers with a Disability
How to Make Reservations
Amtrak makes it easy to purchase tickets for passengers with a disability by offering various booking options:
When You Should Make Reservations
Please make a reservation for any of the following:
For these types of accommodations, reservations are encouraged on all trains, including on "unreserved trains" (on which reservations for standard seating is not required).
Accessible spaces for a wheeled mobility device and/or transfer accessible seats are limited. Please make your reservation in advance if possible to ensure availability.
Who May Reserve Accessible Room Accommodations
Up until 14 days prior to the departure of each train from its origin city, reservations for accessible bedrooms may be made only for passengers with a disability.
Passengers booking an accessible bedroom accommodation will be required to certify that they require one or more of the accessible features of the accessible room accommodation in order to book and receive the discount. Passengers are not required to indicate the type of disability they have but only that they require the accessible features due to a disability. Conductors on trains with accessible room accommodations will provide a self-certification form to be completed by the passenger.
Within 14 days prior to a train departure from its origin city, and if all other Bedroom and Family bedrooms have been reserved, accessible bedroom are made available to all passengers on a first-come, first-served basis. For this reason, we urge you to make your reservations as far in advance of travel as possible.
Details about Discounts
Amtrak offers a 15% rail fare discount to passengers with a disability and up to one traveling companion.
This discount cannot not be combined with other discount programs (such as senior, AAA, Student Advantage, NARP, etc.) unless such discounting is expressly described in the terms and conditions of a particular program. Please ask your reservations sales agent for further details about restrictions.
You must provide written documentation of your disability at the ticket counter and when boarding the train.
Acceptable documentation includes: