Major disruptions on MARC line
It looks like one of those meltdown days on MARC this morning. Even the Maryland Transit Administration web site, famous for describing just about any problems as "minor," is reporting "major disruptions." The trains, 400, 406 and 407, were canceled on the Penn Line. The Camden Lines is experiencing delays too.
This comes just as things were supposed to get better with the return of two electric loco motives from an Amtrak repair yard.
Click below to read the MTA's running notices on the problems. It's best read from bottom to top.
Camden Line: Northbound trains are experiencing 15-20 minute delays though the Muirkirk/Laurel area due to signal problems.
Penn Line Update #6: Due to its severe delay, train 407 is cancelled and will depart from Baltimore as on time train 417 (8:10am), Southbound trains 513 (7:15 am) and 415 (7:40am) will operate on time making the normal stops. Northbound Express train 406 ( 7:21am) is cancelled the next northbound train will be train 408 (7:40am)
Penn Line Update #5: Due to the severe overcrowding of train 509 it will discharge passengers only from BWI station and points south. The next southbound train will train 411 expected to depart Baltimore on time (7:00 am) , again with expectations of crowded conditions. Updates to follow.
Penn Line Update #4: Train 407 will be delayed for an uncertain amount of time due to mechanical problem. The next southbound train will be train 509 maiking its normal stops. Expect overcrowded conditions. Updates to follow .
Penn Line Update #3: Train 400 enroute to Baltimore is cancelled today, train 402 (6:45 dep Wash) will make all train 400's stops to Baltimore.
Penn Line: Update #2: Train 401 departed Baltimore 30 minutes late. Due to this severe delay train 400 (5:54am dep Wash) will be cancelled, train 402 (6:45am dep Wash) will make all stops north to Baltimore.
Penn Line Update #1: Train 401 is expected to depart Baltimore approximately 30 minutes late. Updates to follow.
Penn Line: Train 401 is experiencing mechanical problems in Baltimore, expected delay approximately 15 minutes. Updates to follow.
Comments
When MARC runs, it runs great. But when it doesn't, oh boy, watch out.
Posted by: Sean Tully | October 21, 2009 10:35 AM
Without fail, whenever the seasons change, the engines start having problems. This will happen again when the first winter (vs this first autumnal) cold snap kicks in, and then again when the first spring (and summer) heat waves make their appearances.
Posted by: Bill | October 21, 2009 10:54 AM
This is what happens when a transit agency does not have to care that they are responsible for people getting to work on time and the impact that it has on people’s livelihoods. An occasional issue is one thing, an entire transit system that is out of touch with the needs of people and business that you can not rely upon with chronic delinquency in another. It is time that we hold the MTA accountable for all of its failings. Chronic lateness is not acceptable in any other system and should not be tolerated in Maryland’s.
Posted by: m | October 21, 2009 10:56 AM
MARC is a disgrace right now. It is amazing to me that it cannot even run its alert system properly. I am signed up to receive notifications of delays, but received only one of the notifications posted above.
Posted by: Pliny | October 21, 2009 11:45 AM
about the alert system -it amuses me when I get alerts for the previous day's delays, or that the notification that the 7:15 am train is late arrives in my inbox around 3 pm.
Posted by: John Lorch | October 21, 2009 2:13 PM
In response to "m":
The reason MARC has problems is because of a lack of money. The people working on the trains know what they are doing, but there is only so much you can do with $20 and a roll of duct tape to fix ancient equipment.
And I am not sure if you have noticed, but THERE ISN'T ANY MONEY. Not for MARC, not for any other state-run organization. The answer for MARC, which, if you really want perfect service I am sure you will be fine with, is to charge about 50% more per ticket; currently, the prices they charge don't cover their costs or the actual value of the service they provide. Now, a little raise like that wouldn't fix all of the problems, but it would be a start.
So, do you have any solutions, or was it just your goal to provide pointless criticism?
-- a fully satisfied, daily MARC commuter
Posted by: n | October 21, 2009 3:25 PM