T
TrainWrecked
Guest
What is the name of your state? California. Interstate travel, if it matters.
Does Amtrak have to accommodate disabled passengers? I have a severe injury to my left side. When I fly I request a seat with my left side against the aisle or a window to prevent getting banged into by other passengers or their objects. It's never been a problem with air travel. All I have to do is ask.
I made train reservations on line a while ago. I called Amtrak to ask about accommodations for my seating needs, after making the reservations. This is generally how I've done it with air travel. They said, "No, we can't guarantee that you will get a seat that will accommodate your needs. There is no way to do it." They told me I should just show up at the train and see if I get a seat that works for me. If none is available they will refund my fair in full (they won't refund my gas to and from the station, or give me enough money to obtain last-minute air travel, of course). They told me that they generally discourage disabled passengers from attempting to travel coach on trains (keep us segregated from the normal folks, I guess). They were very hostile and aggressive towards me. I was very upset. It did not seem that I was asking a lot. It generally takes about 2 minutes with the airlines.
Don't they have to accommodate all disabled passengers? Or is it only passengers in wheelchairs?
Do I have any rights in this matter? Or am I SOL because Amtrak doesn't like disabled folk?
Thanks for any information you can give me.
Does Amtrak have to accommodate disabled passengers? I have a severe injury to my left side. When I fly I request a seat with my left side against the aisle or a window to prevent getting banged into by other passengers or their objects. It's never been a problem with air travel. All I have to do is ask.
I made train reservations on line a while ago. I called Amtrak to ask about accommodations for my seating needs, after making the reservations. This is generally how I've done it with air travel. They said, "No, we can't guarantee that you will get a seat that will accommodate your needs. There is no way to do it." They told me I should just show up at the train and see if I get a seat that works for me. If none is available they will refund my fair in full (they won't refund my gas to and from the station, or give me enough money to obtain last-minute air travel, of course). They told me that they generally discourage disabled passengers from attempting to travel coach on trains (keep us segregated from the normal folks, I guess). They were very hostile and aggressive towards me. I was very upset. It did not seem that I was asking a lot. It generally takes about 2 minutes with the airlines.
Don't they have to accommodate all disabled passengers? Or is it only passengers in wheelchairs?
Do I have any rights in this matter? Or am I SOL because Amtrak doesn't like disabled folk?
Thanks for any information you can give me.