Amtrak has apologized after 110 passengers were stranded at Washington Union Station after their boarding gates wouldn't open.
“On December 26, Amtrak Train 66, bound for New York from Roanoke, Virginia, left Washington Union Station before all passengers were able to board. Amtrak sincerely apologizes for the miscommunication that caused passengers to miss their trains. ,” said an Amtrak representative. he told FOX News Digital.
“We provided customers with services on the next train, food and beverages, hotel accommodations, and full refunds,” the official said.
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The incident was first reported on Reddit's r/Amtrak subreddit in the early morning hours of December 27th.
“The Northeast Region has left all 100 passengers from Washington, D.C.,” wrote Reddit user and prospective passenger on Amtrak train 66, “PreparationDry8083.”
Amtrak apologized for leaving 110 passengers stranded at Washington Union Station. (Stephanie Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
In the post, PreparationDry8083 explained that the train was scheduled to board at 10 p.m., but passengers got in line at 9:40 p.m. after receiving the boarding time message.
“They say the 10:15 train has left, but 100 of us are still waiting for the gate to open,” said Preparatory Dry 8083. At 11 p.m., the stationmaster said, “The train left because no one came to board.”
At Washington Union Station, Amtrak passengers are not allowed to enter the platform before their designated boarding time, and their tickets are checked before boarding, similar to airline boarding procedures.
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In an update post late on Dec. 27, PreparationDry8083 provided additional details about the failed boarding procedure and what happened.
According to PreparationDry8083, the boarding gate was never opened, and a sign was placed in front of the door, which was closed with a rope.
“It just doesn't make sense intuitively,” one Reddit user wrote. “The whole process felt like boarding at the airport. I don't think anyone wanted to get in trouble with the police right in front of them.”
I don't think anyone would want to get into trouble with the police because of their eyesight.
PreparationDry8083 said the train was already delayed and other passengers thought it was even more delayed.
“When the delayed departure time approached us, I think many people thought Amtrak was late again,” the user wrote.
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According to PreparationDry8083, a total of 110 passengers were left stranded.
“I think many people were worried that if they cut through the line to find an employee at an empty station, the boarding process would go through without them,” wrote PreparationDry8083, adding that station police also “I'm equally perplexed,” he added. stranded passengers.
A Reddit user wrote that everyone was confused and thought the train was delayed until they received a message saying it had left. (Related news organizations)
Fox News Digital has reached out to PerparationDry8083 for additional comment.
On Reddit, users were shocked that so many passengers could be stranded.
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User “WickedJigglyPuff” said, “DC is a flagship station. You should expect passengers. It's a big problem that the conductor didn't ask where the passengers were,” adding, “Amtrak has created a list of stations where you can't depart. You should,” he added. Even if there are no passengers on board. ”
Reddit users wondered why Amtrak employees weren't confused that no one was boarding the train from a major stop. (Google Maps)
“How awful. I wish someone had been fired. But I'm glad they were compensated in the end,” said 'throwaway3113151.'
Throwaway3113151 continued, “It's absolutely insane that Amtrak is making people wait in huge lines. There's no reason why they can't operate like European high-speed trains, where the platforms are empty. But it's Amtrak, and normal things are normal.'' It's like a “course''. ”
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Amtrak did not respond to Fox News Digital's questions about changes to boarding procedures at Washington Union Station in light of the incident.
