DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Amtrak's Washington Union Station Master Plan

**BUMbaronos** · 07-26-2012, 08:19 PM

I think Amtrak technically owns Union Station, taken over from the Washington Terminal Company. But with the whole visitor's center thing, plus all the different railroads coming in, plus the government-chartered Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, the jurisdiction is a mess.. they've had to hire people just to determine who controls a particular wall.

I believe Amtrak only owns the platforms and "station area." the old, nice part of the station they do not own. the commuters pay Amtrak for access (or should). union station was designed more as a terminal and for much less commuter traffic than exists today. 30th st was designed as a through station and for more commuter AND intercity service than it handles today. it's an extremely well designed station from a functional point of view. still, DC would have fewer problems if MARC and VRE ran through trains and I'm sure MARC customers would love a l'enfant stop which has much better connections than union station (which, in turn, is great for going to the mall and seeing the museums are meeting with congressman.

07-26-2012, 08:19 PM	#6
BUMbaronos Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 496 Senior Member	I think Amtrak technically owns Union Station, taken over from the Washington Terminal Company. But with the whole visitor's center thing, plus all the different railroads coming in, plus the government-chartered Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, the jurisdiction is a mess.. they've had to hire people just to determine who controls a particular wall. I believe Amtrak only owns the platforms and "station area." the old, nice part of the station they do not own. the commuters pay Amtrak for access (or should). union station was designed more as a terminal and for much less commuter traffic than exists today. 30th st was designed as a through station and for more commuter AND intercity service than it handles today. it's an extremely well designed station from a functional point of view. still, DC would have fewer problems if MARC and VRE ran through trains and I'm sure MARC customers would love a l'enfant stop which has much better connections than union station (which, in turn, is great for going to the mall and seeing the museums are meeting with congressman.
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