Monday Morning MARC Mess
The first day of MARC’s new schedule started off with problems.
Last night this reminder went out for MARC passengers:
July 19, 2009 10:27 PM
Camden Line Passengers–This is a reminder that Train 849 (7:20am departure from Camden Yards) will operate with one car less than normal Monday morning. If your schedule permits, we recommend taking trains 847, 851, or the Penn Line. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Then this morning all of the following alerts were sent due to MARC issues:
July 20, 2009 5:54 AM
Brunswick Line: Train 890 approaching Dickerson operating 13 minutes late due to switch problems6:49 AM
Brunswick: Train 892 approaching Barnesville operating 18 minutes late due to switch problems7:03 AM
Penn Line: Train 407 holding at Odenton with mechanical problems Updates to follow7:15 AM
Penn: Train 509 at Odenton Station assisting disabled 407 expect delays Updates to follow7:21 AM
Penn: Train 506 and 406 holding in Washington until further notice Updates to follow7:31 AM
Update:Train 506 canceled Train 406 departed Washington making all 506 stops to Baltimore7:33 AM
Penn: Train 521 canceled from Perryville to Baltimore Amtrak trying to make arrangement7:39 AM
Update:Train 407 departed Odenton 50 minutes late Train 509 departed Odenton Station 40 minutes late7:45 AM
Brunswick: Train 894 approaching Barnesville operating 15 minutes late due to mechanical problems7:55 AM
Penn: Train 417 8:10am departure expect delays updates to follow7:57 AM
Penn: Train 408 expect 30 minutes or more delay out of Washington Updates to follow8:12 AM
Penn Line Commuters Amtrak 183 will make stops at Perryville, Aberdeen, Edgewood and Martins Airport en route to Baltimore8:31 AM
Update:Train 417 departed Baltimore 12-15 minutes late8:34 AM
Update:Train 408 departed Washington 44 minutes late as an express making a stop at BWI9:13 AM
Train 410 approaching Odenton operating 15 minutes late9:28 AM
Train 419 approaching West Baltimore operating 15 minutes late
UPDATE: Michael Dresser has a post on this morning’s problems that includes a firsthand account of today’s woes from a Penn Line passenger who was also stuck on the train that took over 3 hours to get to DC a few weeks ago. A commenter also notes on the post that Train 411 was delayed 20 minutes, yet MARC never sent anything out about it.
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It’s always wonderful to start out our Monday morning commutes with more incomptence from MARC management.
What was this morning’s excuse? Heat? Switching problems? Another cable that didn’t work?
Comment by David — July 20, 2009 @ 10:46 am
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The best part is the one Camden train running a car short is one a commenter last week mentioned was Standing Room Only already most days. On top of that, the new schedule added at least one stop for that train this morning.
Comment by Jeff Quinton — July 20, 2009 @ 10:48 am
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[...] is the 2nd major situation (characterized as minor by MTA) this week. Other delays took place Monday morning. There was also a situation with major problems one day last week. I think my friend was a [...]
Pingback by Major ‘Minor’ Disruptions for MARC tonight | Inside Charm City: Baltimore, Maryland blog — July 22, 2009 @ 8:31 pm