Rail Passenger Depot Stationmaster Program

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• Mission
• Background
• Analysis
• Recommended Program

Mission

The Lafayette Railroad Passenger Stationmaster Program is established to facilitate boarding and alighting passengers for Amtrak rail transportation at the Lafayette Multi-modal Terminal.

Background

The Lafayette Railroad Passenger Depot was recently restored and readapted for administrative offices for the Lafayette Public Transit System. Provisions have been made to accommodate passengers for both the public transit system and Amtrak. A ticket counter and waiting area are part of the restored building.

Amtrak passenger rail service is frequently not on schedule and boarding passengers as well as friends and relatives of alighting passengers must wait an undetermined amount of time for trains to arrive. There is the consequence of expected frustration on the lack of up-to-date information on what is happening and the length of train delays.

Analysis

Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) has invested substantially in the restoration of the rail passenger depot and provided rail passengers with a great new facility serving this rail transportation gateway to the community. Maintenance funding and personnel are needed to provide an important "first impression" and assist existing and potential future boarding and alighting passengers on a regular basis. Rail passenger assistance and information is a practical need and a positive public relations activity.

Lafayette's connections with francophone nations and cultures prompts many rail passengers to use rail services and accommodations. A lack of rail passenger facilities, information and assistance has not been a positive community characteristic for many years. The opportunity now exists for improvements with potential economic benefits.

Amtrak tickets are purchased through local travel agents. Rail passenger tickets cannot be purchased at the station. There are currently no personnel assisting rail passengers in any capacity.

Recommended Program

1. Ten volunteers over the age of eighteen (18) are selected through interviews and references to serve as "Stationmaster" for boarding and alighting Amtrak passengers at the Lafayette Railroad Station.
2. The "Stationmaster" volunteers must agree to one year contract increments and complete a qualified training program approved by Amtrak and the LCG Department of Traffic and Transportation.
3. "Stationmasters" are required to be on the station site and accessible to the public one hour before scheduled train arrivals and one hour following train departures.
4. "Stationmasters" are required to wear an approved uniform when on duty at the Lafayette Railroad Station. The first set of uniforms are provided by LCG - - - lost uniform articles will be paid for by the volunteer.
5. Marketing and promotion of Amtrak services and costs are provided to the Stationmaster on duty regularly by the LCG Traffic and Transportation Department.
6. The LCG Department of Traffic and Transportation coordinates with Amtrak on marketing and promotion of the Amtrak services and cost.
7. The "Stationmaster" has a cell phone provided by the LCG Department of Traffic and Transportation when on duty. The purpose of the cell phone is to assist boarding and alighting rail passengers with services. The cell phone is stored within the depot building when not in use. Unauthorized calls are noted and paid by the Stationmaster.
8. The "Stationmaster" is provided a key to open the waiting room in the terminal station one hour before scheduled train arrivals and to close and lock the waiting room one hour after train departures.
9. The "Stationmaster" must have selected emergency phone numbers for identified needs and situations. (CPR?)
10. The LCG Department of Traffic and Transportation coordinates and administers private sponsors of the Stationmaster Program (including, but not limited to civic groups, businesses, professional associations and individuals).
11. The Stationmaster Program provides a "Metro Card" purchase option to all Amtrak ticket holders.
12. The "Stationmaster" is trained, supplied and authorized to sell "Metro Cards" when on duty.
13. One restaurant sponsor is assigned to be "on-call" for rail passengers, their friends and relatives due to train schedule delays. These restaurant sponsors volunteering for "on-call" service are rotated regularly. Operating hours and location are considered in selection and rotating schedules.
14. Community information material is provided and maintained by the Lafayette Convention and Tourist Center and supervised by the "Stationmaster."
15. The "Stationmaster" shall refer Amtrak ticket purchasers to authorized agencies. (List of travel agencies updated and furnished monthly)
16. The Stationmaster Program prepares and provides "Welcome To Lafayette/Bienvenu a Lafayette" packages to arriving rail passengers at the Lafayette Rail Passenger Station
17. The Stationmaster Program shall market and promote Amtrak passenger rail services and connections
18. The Stationmaster Program shall develop and coordinate special "rail passenger excursion trip packages" between Lafayette and New Orleans and between Lafayette and Houston and promote same.
19. The Stationmaster Program shall coordinate marketing and advertising with the Lafayette Transit System, Greyhound Bus Lines and the Lafayette Regional Airport.
20. Each "Stationmaster" volunteer reports monthly to the Traffic and Transportation Department on needs and recommendations for the Stationmaster position.
21. The "Stationmaster" should report identifiable needs requiring urgent or casual attention at the depot to the LCG Department of Traffic and Transportation and include in their monthly reports to the Department.
22. The Stationmaster Program supports the Rails and Trails Program between Lafayette and New Orleans and Lafayette and Houston. Historical, cultural and ecological landmarks along and viewed from the rail route are noted and documented in publications approved by Amtrak and local references sources.
23. The Stationmaster Program is coordinated and directed by the LCG Department of Traffic and Transportation, Planning Division, Public Transportation Marketing Section.