Equipment shortage has MARC begging Amtrak

This is infuriating. The already over-crowded Penn Line has been squeezed even tighter this week because MARC has a shortage of equipment. Meanwhile the new diesel engines that MARC was supposed to have running last October, according to MRAC Chair Rafi Guroian, are sitting unused because of bureaucratic red tape. MARC's message about the shortage apologizes to passengers, and explains that it has to go to Amtrak to beg for more electric locomotives. Instead of putting a band-aid on the problem, MARC should work to cut through the red tape and get those new engines running already.

Here's the full note from MARC:

Attention Penn Line Passengers--

Due to a continued shortage of equipment, the following trains will once again be operating with one less car than normal:

This afternoon (Sept. 2)--Train 436, the 5:34pm departure from Union Station

Tomorrow morning (Sept. 3)--Train 513, the 6:30am departure from Perryville / 7:15am departure from Baltimore Penn.

We realize that this is the third straight day of this service disruption and that it causes inconvenience for our passengers. We are working with Amtrak to get more of our electric locomotives back into service which will allow us to return the seventh car to this consist.

We appreciate your understanding and patronage.

September 2, 2009 3:03 PM