FUD Wrote:
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> Shouldn't be difficult to scare up some charter buses in Sac on a few hours' notice.

Hate to break this to you but Amtrak is really its own worst enemy here. Thanks to Amtrak (and the various California JPAs, ODOT and WSDOT) massively subsidizing Amtrak (and not intercity bus) they've pretty much run off all the intercity and charter outfits. Those that are remaining, have no need to take on Amtrak as a client/competitor. Why should they drop everything and call out their employees after hours when they have no problem making money off charters where they don't have to deal with unruly passengers or have to collect fares and run a reservation site?

This is the new normal and you all have nobody to thank but yourselves for the pro-Rail at any cost, anti-Bus policies of our three states. There are no alternatives anymore. Congratulations on having your "affordable transportation alternative" - THIS is the price of that "low cost" alternative to driving and flying - you just might not even get to your destination AT ALL. Maybe, Amtrak passengers need to realize that they don't deserve to be subsidized at 40X that of other travellers on a per-passenger mile basis, and that laws that are supposed to protect private businesses should actually be enforced, with Amtrak being required to drastically raise its fares OR cease service if competitors exist.

Amtrak, should at a minimum, state in GIANT BOLD LETTERS on their website and at each step of the inquiry and reservation process, that Amtrak does NOT provide any kind of alternative or relief transportation, and that their legal responsibility is satisified simply by boarding you as a passenger. The train could break down 2000 feet from the station and too bad so sad, no refunds.