AMTRAK ANSWERS BIKE QUESTIONS These answers are broken ... · AMTRAK ANSWERS BIKE QUESTIONS Back in...
Transcript of AMTRAK ANSWERS BIKE QUESTIONS These answers are broken ... · AMTRAK ANSWERS BIKE QUESTIONS Back in...
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AMTRAKANSWERSBIKEQUESTIONSBackinMarchweaskedourmembersandsupportersiftheyhadanyquestionsaboutbikeserviceonAmtrak.AndWow,didyouhavequestions.Wegothundredsandhundredsofquestions!WeworkedwithAmtrakstafftotryandcutoutduplicates,butleftinmostofthequestionsregardingspecificroutes.Theseanswersarebrokenintoacoupledifferenttopicsincluding:WhatbiketypesandsizesareallowedonAmtraktrains……………………..……….…….2WhatisthecostofbringingyourbikeonAmtrak……………………………….………………5Questionsonreservationsandfirstcome/firstserve…………………….….…………...…..6Questionsonspecificlines Mid-West……………………………………………………………………………..…………………7 Northeast………………………………………………………………………………………...……..9 SouthEast……………………………………………………………………………………...……..15 West…………………………………………………………………………………………..…………17 WestCoast……………………………………………………………………………………………19Questionsonboardingandsafetyofbikesontrain…………………………………………...24Generalquestions(aboutservice,unevenrules,coordinatingwithtransit,etc.…26(Thetopicbreakdownissubjectivesoifyoudon’tseeyourquestionyoumaywanttoskimtheotherareasaswell)Ifwestillhaven’tansweredyourquestions,don’tworry!TheLeagueofAmericanBicyclistswillbehostingawebinarwithAmtrakstafflaterthissummerwherewecanansweryourquestionslive.Thankyouagainforyourinterestandyourquestions!CaronWhitakerDirector,[email protected]@bikeleague.org
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QUESTIONSONBIKETYPES/SIZESALLOWEDONAMTRAK
WhatsizebikesareallowedonAmtrak
Amtrakacceptsonlystandardsizebicycleswiththefollowingdimensions/parameters:Standardbikes:Weightmax-50lbs;70"x41"x8.5";Maxtirewidth2";Foldingbikes:34"x15"x48"(860x380x1120mm)Thisismainlyforthreereasons:1)weknowwecansafelyandreliablyacceptandhandlebicyclesatthisweight/sizewhereverbicyclespaceisavailableforsaleperspaceconstraintsonourequipmentaswellaswhatourbikerackscanaccommodate.2)Ourreservationsystemonlyallowsustosellonetypeofbicycleinventory(wearecurrentlyrevampingoursystem,whichwillallowustoaccommodatemultipletypesofbicycleinventoryinthenearfuture).3)Everyitemusedonorattachedtothetrainmustfollowstrictfederalsafetystandards.Thebikeracksandtireshooksapprovedforuseonourtrainscanonlyaccommodateamaximumtirewidthof2"andbikeswithstandardwheelbases.
Areyouabletoaccommodatetandembicyclesonyourtrains?
Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.Weareworkingonmakingupdatesthatwillallowustoaccommodatenon-standardbicyclesliketandems,trikesandrecumbents.
Ihavecargobikethatisunderthe50lb.weightlimit,butisaboutafootlongerthanaregularsizedbike.CanItakeitaboard?Mywife,daughterandIwouldliketotravelfromSLCUtahtoPittsburghandreturntoSLCfromDC.Isthereawaytoensurethatifwegetthecargobikeonthefirstlegthatwe'llbeabletogetitonwhentransferringinChicago,etc.?
Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.Weareworkingonmakingupdatesthatwillallowustoaccommodatenon-standardbicyclesliketandems,trikesandrecumbents.
Canyouaccommodatearecumbenttrike? Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.Weareworkingonmakingupdatesthatwillallowustoaccommodatenon-standardbicyclesliketandems,trikesandrecumbents.
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WillAmtrakacceptrecumbentsandtrikesonthetrain?Ifnot,why?Asbabyboomersage,manyareswitchingtothesefortouring.Also,folkswhosufferfrommedicalissuesrelyontrikesfortheirprimaryformoftransportation.Allowingtheseontrainswillexpandtheirworld.
Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.Weareworkingonmakingupdatesthatwillallowustoaccommodatenon-standardbicyclesliketandems,trikesandrecumbents.
ForanumberofyearsinthepastIwasabletotravelonAmtraktrainswithmytandembicycle.Amtrakceasedacceptingtandembicyclesseveralyearsago.Why?
Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.Weareworkingonmakingupdatesthatwillallowustoaccommodatenon-standardbicyclesliketandems,trikesandrecumbents.
Asarecumbentbikeriderexclusively,Iamwonderingifyouwouldconsiderchangingyourpolicyaboutthem,andallowthemtobetransportedinthebaggagecarhangingonthebikerack.Myshort-wheelbasedrecumbentwouldfitperfectlyintherackasithasthesamewheelbaseasastandardbike.IhavebeenanAmtrakcustomerforalmost40years,andhopetocontinue.Pleaseconsiderchangingyourpolicy.
Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.Weareworkingonmakingupdatesthatwillallowustoaccommodatenon-standardbicyclesliketandems,trikesandrecumbents.Thewayourbikeracksareboltedintothetrainwallsrequirebikestobestoredvertically.Whileasimilarwheelbasecouldtechnicallyfitinsomecases,thewaybikesarehungnexttoeachothermaynotfitwiderbicyclesnexttoastandardbicycle.Inaddition,wecanonlysellandmanageonetypeofbicycleinventoryatthistime.Wehaveplansunderwaytoadjustbicyclerackspacingaswellastoenhanceourreservationsystemtoaccommodatemultipletypesofbicycleinventory.
Manycyclistslikemyselfenjoybikepackingonamountainbikeorfatbike.Whatisthemaximumtiresizesupportedforbikeswithwalkonbikeservice?
Currentlywecanonlyaccommodatebikeswithamaximumtirewidthof2inches.Weareworkingonmodificationstoourbikespacesandreservationsystemtoaccommodatefattirebikes(amongothertypesofbicycles).
Woulditbepossibletobringfatbikesonboardinthefuture?IrecentlywentskiinginColoradoviaAmtrak;afatbikewouldhavebeengreattogetaroundWinterPark.
Itwillbepossibletobringfatbikesinthefuture.Rightnowourbikehooks,whichaccommodatetires2"orless,arestandardacrossthesystem.Weareworkingonreconfiguringsomespacestoaccommodatenotonlyfatbikes,butalsorecumbents,cargobikes,tandems,etc.
Areelectricpoweredbikesallowed,andifsoisthereaweight-limit?
Rightnowwedon'tallowelectricpoweredbikesuntilwecompleteasafetyevaluation.We'llupdateourpoliciesoncethatstudyiscomplete.
WhatTypeofaccommodationswillbeavailableforindividualswithdisabilitieswhomayridetandems,trikes,handbikes,andcarts?
Thereareprojectsunderwaytomodifyourexistingequipmentandreservationsystemtoaccommodaterecumbents,tandems,etc.Assoonasthat'savailablewewillnotifythepublicviapressreleaseandmakethebikespaceavailableforsaleonAmtrak.com.
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CanItakeapedal/assistbicycleontheCapitolLimited?Thepedal/assistbicyclehasasmallelectricmotorintegratedintothebottombracket.
Wecannotallowelectricbikesatthemomentsincetheyposeasafety/fireriskfromthemotorand/orbatteries.
IusedtheAmtrak’sbikespecificcarslastfall.ToledotoPittsburgandthenDCtoToledo.Thehangersforthebikesarestaggeredinheightsotheycanaccommodatemorebikesbuttheproblemweranintowastheloweronewasn'thighenoughandourrearwheelswerehittingthefloor.Canthisbeaddressed?
Weprovidebikemeasurementsforourbikeaccommodationsatamtrak.com/bikes.Themeasurementsarebasedontheshortestracksandthemaximumsizeofbikewecouldaccommodateacrossalltrains/equipmenttypesatthistime.
IliketoshipourbikesAmtrak,BaggageExpress.IhadmytandembuiltspecificallysoitwouldfitintoanAmtrakBikebox,buttwicestationagentshavetoldmetheycannot/willnotshipatandem.Mostoftheotherssay,"ifitfitsintotheboxandislessthan50lbs.’,itcanbeshipped!"Thereseemstobeaconflictbetweenthewebsite,commonusageandsomepartofwrittenpolicy.Thanks.
Thanksforthetip!Wewillworkonclarifyingthispolicywithcustomersandagents.
Whatisthepolicyrelatedtonon-standardbicycles,i.e.recumbents,trikes,etc.
Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.Weareworkingonmakingupdatesthatwillallowustoaccommodatenon-standardbicyclesliketandems,trikesandrecumbents.
Ihaveafoldingtrike.IthinkIcanmakeaboxtoholditwithinthe100linearinchlimitbut110linearincheswouldbemuchbetter.CanIgetthesamekindofwelcomeformyfoldingtrikeina110inchboxonatriphomefromSpringfieldMasstoSeattleWA?Also,iscorrugatedplastic(coroplast)justaswelcomeforboxesascorrugatedcardboard?Ibelieveitissignificantlystrongerandmuchmorewater-resistant.
Passengersarewelcometopacktheirownbicyclesinacase.Bikecontainersand/orbikestravelinsidebaggagecarsandarehandledbyAmtrakcrewmembers.Youmusttravelbetweenstationsthatoffercheckedbaggageservice.Visitamtrak.com/bikesorcheckwithyourlocalstation.
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QUESTIONSONCOST
WhatdoesitcosttobringabikealongonAmtrak? Itdependsontherouteandwhereyou'retraveling;however,thefeewillbe$20orless.
Ifaclientdoesnotcheckinanybaggage-couldabicyclebecountedasonecheckedbaggageinlieuofbaggageasit'sinthesamecarasit'sadoublechargeforbikecustomers?
Thereisafee($20orless)tocheckabicycleregardlessofwhetherthepassengerchecksluggageornot.Bicyclerackspaceislimited(only6spotsinmostcases).
Whatisthecost?CanItravelwithoutthebikeboxedup?Whataboutfoldingbikes?Anyspecialregulationsaroundthehuge"FatTire"bikesthatarepopularnow?
WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeexceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder.Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.Weareworkingonmakingupdatesthatwillallowustoaccommodatenon-standardbicyclesliketandems,trikesandrecumbents.
Whatisthecostforshippingabike1.Inabox2?Asanaassembledbike
Visitastaffedstationorhttps://www.amtrak.com/express-shipping
Whatisthefeescheduleforbringingabike?Arethebikeskeptinasecuremanner?
Bicyclefeesare$20orless.Passengersarewelcometolocktheirbicyclesontrainsthatoffercarry-onservice.OnlyAmtrakCrewmembershandlebicycleswhenpassengersusetrainsidecheckedbikeservice.
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RESERVATIONS/FIRSTCOMEFIRSTSERVEISSUES
DoIneedtoreserveaplace? ReservationsarerequiredonallroutesexcepttheCapitolCorridorandSanJoaquinstrains.ReserveyourspaceonAmtrak.com.
Yourwebsiteindicatesthatbikespaceisonafirstcomefirstservebasis.Uncertaintyabouttheprobabilitythattherewillnotberoomformybikeonthetrainpreventsmefromutilizingthisservice.AtwhatfrequencyisAmtrakunabletoaccommodatebicycles?WhatdoesAmtrakdotoensurethatadequatespaceforbicyclesisprovided?
BikestorageonmosttrainsisreserveonlyexceptforontheCapitolCorridorandSanJoaquinsroutesinCalifornia.Toreservespace,simplyclickthe"addbiketotrip"buttonthatappearswhenyousearch/booktrainsonAmtrak.com.
Hi,Suggestion:itwouldbeniceifthemandatoryreservationrequirementforbringingacommutingbicycleonboardAmtrakforthePacificSurflinerroutewasdropped,asisthecasenow(Feb2017)forSanJoaquinsandCapitolCorridorlines.ThisbicyclereservationburdenissuchahasslethatIdon'trideAmtrakinSanDiegoCounty.PleasemakeiteasiertorideAmtraktrains.Thanksforhearingthissuggestion.
WhilethereiscurrentlynochargeforbikestorageonthePacificSurfliner,wedorequireareservationtoensurethere'sspaceavailable.ThePacificSurflinercarriesmorebikesthananyothertrainontheAmtraksystem.Thisisthebestwaytomanagethatdemand.
WhydopeopleneedtomakeareservationaheadoftimeinordertobringtheirbikeontoAmtrak?BART,Coaster,CalTrainandotherregionaltrainscaneasilyaccommodatebicyclistswithnopriornotice,andIthinkitincreasesridership.Whycan'tAmtrakdothesame?
Sincespaceislimited,werequirereservationssoyourbikerackspaceisguaranteed.Reservationsalsohelpusmeasuredemand,analyzedata,andalsohelpsthecrewknowwhenpassengersareboarding/disembarkingwithbicyclesalongtheirroute.
IfIshowupatatrainstationwithmybikeandtheyalreadyhavefour(thelimit)ofwheeled-onbikesinstorage,willIbeaskedtowaitforthenexttrain?
Weencourageand/orrequirebicyclereservationsforthisreason.ForunreservedserviceontheSanJoaquinsorCapitolCorridortrainsyoumayhavetowaitforthenexttrainifyoudonothaveareservation.
DoesAMTRAKhaveabackupplanfornothavingenoughroomiftherearealotofbikesatastation?
Werequireyoutomakeabikereservationforexactlythisreason.
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QUESTIONSONSPECIFICLINES (DIVIDEDBYMIDWEST,NORTHEAST,SOUTHEAST,WESTANDWESTCOAST)
MID-WEST Willbicycleservicebeoffered/availableontheWolverine(Chicago-Detroit)?
ThestateofMichigandetermineswhetherbaggageserviceorbikescanbecarriedontheWolverineLine.TheiruniqueequipmentmustundergosomemodificationsthatmeetFRAsafetyregulationsbeforebikeservicecanbeoffered.
CanIrollabicycleontotheCardinalatMaysville,Kentucky?
Unfortunately,Maysville,Kentuckyisanunstaffedstationanddoesn'toffercheckedbaggageservice;therefore,thereisnocheckedbicycleserviceontheCardinalto/fromthatstation.
IamthinkingabouttravelingfromDetroittoSanFranciscowithmybike.Whatisthecost?Doesitneedtobepacked?CanIkeepitwithmeasitisveryexpensive
Currently,thereisnocarryonortrainsidecheckedbicycleserviceontheWolverinetrainsinMichigan.
DoyouallowbikesontheLakeshoreLimitedyet?Ifnot,whynot?
WeofferTrainsideCheckedbicycleserviceontheLakeshoreLimitedto/fromstaffedstationsthatoffercheckedbaggage.VisitAmtrak.comtocheckavailabilityandtoreserveyourspace.
WhenwillyourCrescentlinehaveroll-onbicycleservices?
TheCrescenthastrainsidecheckedbicycleservicerightnow.
WillyoubeaddingservicetoinbetweenstationstopsontheHiawathaline?RightnowtheonlywayIcantakeabikeontheHiawathaisbytravelingfromdowntownMilwaukeetodowntownChicago.Whatoptionswilltherebeinthefutureforriderswhowantbikeserviceattheotherstationsontheline?Arethereplanstomakethismoreaffordableforregular/monthly/10rideticketholders?Adding$10toeachdailyroundtripwouldbecostprohibitivefortheweek.
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Weareworkingtoopenupbikeservicetounstaffedstationswheretheaboveconditionsaremetandoverallserviceisn'tnegativelyaffected.
Someofyoursmallerconnectinglines,e.g.TheWolverine;donothavebaggagecarsinwhichtotransportBikes.Whatgoodofitistotakeyourbikeonalongdistancetrainonlytofindoutyourbikecan'tbetransportedontheconnectingline.Thanks
ThestateofMichigandetermineswhetherbaggageserviceorbikescanbecarriedontheWolverineLine.TheiruniqueequipmentmustundergosomemodificationsthatmeetFRAsafetyregulationsbeforebikeservicecanbeoffered.
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WillthereeverbebikeservicefortheWolverineline?IknowmanyresidentsinAnnArborandDetroitwhowouldvaluetheabilitytotaketheirbikestoChicagoonthetrain,butcurrentlydrivebecausethereisnottheavailabilityforthisatthepresenttime.
ThestateofMichigandetermineswhetherbaggageserviceorbikescanbecarriedontheWolverineLine.TheiruniqueequipmentmustundergosomemodificationsthatmeetFRAsafetyregulationsbeforebikeservicecanbeoffered.
WhenwillthetrainfromChampaigntoChicagoofferRollandgo??(usedthatservicefromDCtoPittsburghanditwasfantastic!)
ProjectsareunderwaytomodifyequipmenttoexpandCarryOnServicetomoreroutes(similartotheCapitolLimitedroute).AnnouncementswillbemadeviapressreleaseandspacewillbeavailableforsaleonAmtrak.comoncethisserviceisexpanded.Staytuned.
IrecentlytookmybikeontheEmpireBuilderbetweenLaCrosseandMilwaukee.Ipaid$20eachdirection.Idon'tmindstoringmybikeinthebaggagecar,butiftherewasrollonservice,itwouldbemuchmoreaffordable.Isthereanychancethiswillbeavailableonthistraininthefuture?
ProjectsareunderwaytomodifyequipmenttoexpandCarryOnServicetotheEmpireBuilder;howeverthebikefeewillstillbe$20.
Whyonly4bikesallowedontheMissouriRiverRunner?
TheStateofMissourideterminesthebicycleinventoryonthisroute.
WhenIrodefromMilwaukeetoSt.LouisIhadtohandlemybikeinseveralways,moveitbetweencarsateachstop,andpayadifferentfeeperstop.Willthisbestandardizedandmadeeasiertounderstand?
TheHiawathahasabaggagecar(trainsidecheckedservice)andtheLincolnServicedoesnot(CarryOnService).Wecan'tstandardizebicyclecarriageacrosstrainsthatusedifferentequipment.Wewilltakethisfeedbackintoconsiderationandmakeiteasiertounderstandwhatbicycleserviceyouarereserving.SinceyouwereconnectingbetweentwotrainsandtransferringinChicago,wechargedafeeandrequiredyoutoreservebikespaceonbothtrains.
WhatbikerackservicedoyouhavegoingthroughmytownFairfield,Iowa?
ThecloseststationwithbaggageserviceisMt.Pleasant,IA,~20miawayontheCaliforniaZephyrRoute.
IstherestillplanstoaddrideonbikeservicetotheWolverinelinethatrunsfromDetroittoChicago?Thishasbeendiscussedforseveralyearsandstillhasnotcometofruition.
ThestateofMichigandetermineswhetherbaggageserviceorbikescanbecarriedontheWolverineLine.TheiruniqueequipmentmustundergosomemodificationsthatmeetFRAsafetyregulationsbeforebikeservicecanbeoffered.
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NORTHEAST
ThinkingabouttakingAmtrakfromChicagotoEssex,Vermontandback.Lookslikerollonshouldwork.Haven’tdeterminedwhen.Trainschedulemayimpactplan.Isthispossible?Howmuchwoulditcost?Howfaraheaddoweneedtomakereservations?
ThemostdirectwaytodothiswouldbetotaketheLakeShoreLimitedbetweenChicagoandNewYorkPennandthentheVermonter,whichleavesthenextmorning,fromNYPtoEssexJunctionVermont.Thebikefeewillbe$80total,notincludingthecostofyourticket.
I'mbikingacrossthecountry,startinginApril.CanIgetontheEmpireBuilderinSandpoint,Idahowithmybicycleiftheweatheristoocoldand/ormiserabletocrosstheRockiestoCutBank?It'sdifficultformetotellfromyourwebpage.
Unfortunately,Sandpoint,Idahoisanunstaffedstationanddoesn'toffercheckedbaggageservice;therefore,thereisnocheckedbicycleserviceontheEmpireBuilderto/fromthatstation.
Thereisalmostalwaysroomforanon-foldedbikebetweenHarrisburgandPhiladelphia.Canyoustartallowingbikesonthisstretch?
TheKeystoneservicesharesequipmentwithmostotherroutesintheNortheast.WearecurrentlyworkingonabikerackdesignsolutionforallcarsintheNortheast.Forsafetypurposes,wecan'tallowunsecuredbicyclesinsidepassengercoachesintheNortheast.
Thanksfortakingquestions.MorethanonceIhavetriedtoplanabikingvacationleavingfromeasternMA(Mansfield)andfoundthatbikeswerenotallowedonthetrainsIwouldneed.IhavealsolookedatthecorridorsinVT.Icanbeflexibleabouttraveltimes.IsthereawaytoopenmorestopsnorthofMAtobikes?IwoulduseAmtrakmoreifbikeswereallowedonmoretrainsandatmoredestinations.
WeneedtomakesignificantupdatestoourequipmentinordertoaccommodatebicyclesonNERegionaltrains.Whilenotavailablerightnowweareworkingonasolution.
WilltherebededicatedbicyclecarsontheEmpireBuilder?IbelieveEmpireBuildertravelsthroughSt.Paul,MN;Fargo,ND,GlacierNationalParketc.Somegreatspotstostopbrieflytoenjoysomeverydiversecyclingopportunities.AmtrakrunsrightthroughdowntownFargo,whichisverybicyclefriendly,andtheadditionofeasyonandoffforthosewhowanttoexplorebybicyclewouldbeveryvaluable.
ThereiscurrentlytrainsidecheckedbicycleserviceontheEmpireBuilderavailablesinceSeptember2016.
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ArethereplanstoexpandbikestowageontheVermonterline?MyfriendsandIwouldliketotakeatriptoVermont,butwithonlyspotsfor3bikesand1trainperday,itishardtotravelasagroup.
TheVermonterdoesnotoperatewithabaggagecarandthereisonlyspaceinsidethetrainforonebikerackperpassengercoach.Unfortunately3-4bikesisthemaximumtheVermontercanaccommodate.
Itishardformetounderstandbikeallowanceonthewebsite.TheNortheastregionaltrainfromPvdtoN.KingstownRI-mayItakemybikeonthetrain?
Thereisnobikeserviceto/fromKingston,RIsinceit'sastationthatdoesn’toffercheckedbaggage.Weareworkingon/researchingalong-termsolutiontocarrybikesonNortheastRegionaltrains,whichwillrequireextensivemodificationstoourequipment.
IsthereservicefromNorfolk,VAtoNYC? ServicetoNorfolkisanextensionoftheNortheastRegionalservice.TheservicetoNorfolkdoesnothaveabaggagecar/checkedbaggage,sonocheckedbikeservice.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipmentandfundingagreementswillneedtobemadebetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
WhenwillyoustartrollonbikeaccessonyourAdirondackroutes?
TheAdirondackroutedoesnothaveabaggagecar,sowillnothavetrainsidecheckedservice.TheAdirondacksharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipmentandfundingwillneedtobeallocatedandagreeduponbetweenseveralstates.
CanItakemyuncratedbikeonthetrainfromAlbanyOregontoPortland?HowmuchextradoIpay?
YoucantakeyourbicycleontheAmtrakCascadesroutefora$5bikefeeeachway.
IsbikeserviceavailableontheLakeShoreLimitedfromClevelandtoAlbany?
Currently,trackworkandelevatorworkarepreventingusfromofferingbikeserviceatAlbany.OncefinishwewillrestorebikeserviceatAlbanyandopenthespaceforsaleonAmtrak.com.
Whyisyourquite-largeDowneasterbicyclecarrestrictedto5,evenlyspacedbikes?When20oreven30couldfitwithease?
TheNorthernNewEnglandPassengerRailAuthorityisresponsiblefordeterminingbicycleinventoryontheDowneaster.
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AddingbikeservicetotheNortheastRegionaltrains65/67and66certainlycheckedaboxtoofferitontheNEC,buttheovernighttrainsareinconvenientfortripsbetweenmoststationpairs.Arethereanyplanstoexpandbikeservicebeyondthelasttrainoftheday?
NERegionalTrains65,66,and67aretheonlytrainsthattravelwithabaggagecar;hence,whywecanoffertrainsidecheckedserviceonthosetrains.ExpandingbikeserviceintheNortheastwillrequireasignificantinvestmenttoaddbikerackstotheentirefleet,sincetheentireNortheastsharesalargepoolofequipment.Whilewehaveplanstoexpandservicetomoretrains,itwilltakesometimetoprocurefundingandoverhaultheequipment.
WhyisbikeservicelimitedontheNortheaster?Shouldn'tyoubepromotingthisserviceratherthancurtailingit?
NortheastRegionaltrainsuseAmfleetequipmentwhichwentintoserviceinthe1970swithoutbicyclecarriageinmind.MostNortheastRegionaltrainsdonothavebaggageservicesocannotoffertrainsidecheckedservice.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipmentaswellassecurefundingagreementsbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
WhataboutlonghaulrouteslikeEmpireBuilder?doingax-countrybikerideliketheNorthernTierofACAmanypeoplehavetodoitinsectionsduetovacationconstraintsanychancerollonrolloffcomingtotheseroutes?
TheEmpireBuilderofferstrainsidecheckedbikeserviceto/fromstationsthatoffercheckedbaggageserviceaswellasatGlacierParkandWinona,Minnesota.
WillAmtrakbeginallowingbicyclesontheDowneasterservicethissummer?
TheNorthernNewEnglandPassengerRailAuthorityisresponsiblefordeterminingbicycleavailabilityontheDowneaster.
Whenwillthisgrowingintermodaltypeoftransportation(travelwithbikes)beallowedinNorthEastandotherareasofAmtrak?
Weareworkingon/researchingalong-termsolutiontocarrybikesonNortheastRegionaltrains,whichwillrequireextensivemodificationstoourequipment.
DoyoueverplantoallowbikesontheDowneasterline?When?Ifno,whynot?
TheNorthernNewEnglandPassengerRailAuthoritydeterminesbicycleavailableandinventoryontheDowneasterline.
WhenwilltherebefullbikeserviceinNewYorkState?IliveinSyracuseandwouldliketobeabletouseAmtraktotravelwithmybikewithoutpackingitinabox.
TrainsintheNortheasternUnitedStatesallshareequipmentfromonelargepool.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipment.ThiswillalsorequirefundingagreementsbetweenAmtrak,theStateofNYandotherstatesintheNortheast.
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WhenwillAmtrakallowwheelingonandstoringbikesnotinboxestoallstationsontheNEcorridor?RightnowyoucannotBoardatrainfromD.C.toNYCwithabike.
YouCANboardsometrainsfromDCtoNYwithabike.CheckoutAmtrak.comtoreserveyourspaceontheVermonter,Palmetto,orNERegionalTrains65,66,67only.Whenbikespaceisavailablean"AddBikeToTrip"buttonisdisplayed.TheNERegionaltrainsshareequipmentwithallroutesintheNortheasternUnitedStates(besidesAcela).AddingbikeservicewillrequireextensivemodificationstoourequipmentandfinancialagreementsbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
IliveinNYCandasfarasIcantellit'simpossibletoleaveonanAmtraktrainwithabicycle-regardlessofwhetherit'sinaboxornot.ArethereanyplanstoallowrollonserviceoutofPennStation?MyhopeistobeabletotraveltoPittsburghwithabicycleordowntoWashingtonDCwithmybicycle.Thankyou.
TheVermonterofferscarryonbikeservicefromPennStationtoDC.FromthereyoucantaketheCapitolLimitedtoPittsburgh.NortheastRegionaltrainsuseAmfleetequipmentwhichwentintoserviceinthe1970swithoutbicyclecarriageinmind.MostNortheastRegionaltrainsdonothavebaggageservicesocannotoffertrainsidecheckedservice.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipmentaswellassecurefundingagreementsbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
Whydoesn'tAmtrakallowbikesonallstops?InMaine,onlyPortlandandWellsareallowed.
TheNorthernNewEnglandPassengerRailAuthoritydeterminesbicycleavailableandinventoryontheDowneasterline.
WhenwillAmtrakstartprovidingrollaboardservicesbetweenPittsburgandPhiladelphia?
ThestateofPennsylvaniadetermineswhetherbaggageserviceorbikescanbecarriedontheseroutes.ThesetrainsalsoshareequipmentwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedstates.ExtensivemodificationstoourequipmentwouldberequiredandfundingagreeduponbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
IliveneartheTrentonstation.Thereisnobaggageservice,yettrainswithbikeservicestopinthere.Pleasefindawaytoallowrollon,rolloffservicethere.ThishasthepotentialtobeagreatmarketforyouupanddowntheEastCoast!
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Iftheaboveconditionsaremetsafelyandefficiently,wegenerallywillopenupthespace.Wehaveanextensivequeueofunstaffedstationstoevaluateatthemoment.OnceavailablewewillopenupforsaleonAmtrak.com.
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IoftentaketheHarrisburg-PhiladelphiaKeystoneservice.I'minclinedtothinkIdon'thavepermissiontotakemybike,butthereareneveranysignsclearlysayingNo,orgivingpermission,Yes.I'dlovetobeabletotakemybikealong.Isthisapossibility?Itisnotafoldingbike...
ThestateofPennsylvaniadetermineswhetherbaggageserviceorbikescanbecarriedontheseroutes.ThesetrainsalsoshareequipmentwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedstates.ExtensivemodificationstoourequipmentwouldberequiredandfundingagreeduponbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.TheycancontacttheirstateDOT.Wearealsoawarethatthereisdemandonthisline.TheissueisthatalloftheequipmentintheNortheasternUSneedstobemodifiedtoaccommodatebicycles.It'saverycomplicatedsituationwhichI'veaddressedinotheranswersrelatedtobikesonNortheastRegionaltrains.
Hello.CanyoupleasebegincarryingbikesonyourKeystoneservicetrains�Thanksforconsidering.
ThestateofPennsylvaniadetermineswhetherbaggageserviceorbikescanbecarriedontheseroutes.ThesetrainsalsoshareequipmentwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedstates.ExtensivemodificationstoourequipmentwouldberequiredandfundingagreeduponbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
FromPittsburghtoDC,whichstopsofferon,offbicycleserviceandisthereafee?
CarryonbikeserviceisavailableontheCapitolLimitedtoallstationstopsalongtheroute.VisitAmtrak.comtocheckavailabilityandtoreserveyourspace.
ServicesfromPittsburgtoCumberlandandalsoPittsburgtoWashingtonDCandfinallyWashingtonDCtoPittsburg.Thanks'inadvance.
WeoffercarryonbikeserviceontheCapitolLimitedrightnowto/fromallofthesestations.VisitAmtrak.comtobook.
WhyarebicyclesprohibitedfromtheNortheastCorridortrainsexceptforcertaintrainsandthenonlyifboxed?Whyisitnotpossibletoassignspacesomewhereonatrain,determinedemand,andthenexpandthisareaifneeded?
WedonotrequireyoutoboxyourbikeonanytrainsintheNortheast.NortheastRegionaltrainsuseAmfleetequipmentwhichwentintoserviceinthe1970swithoutbicyclecarriageinmind.MostNortheastRegionaltrainsdonothavebaggageservicesocannotoffertrainsidecheckedservice.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipmentaswellassecurefundingagreementsbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
DoesAmtrakeverplantohavebicycleaccommodationsonthePennsylvanianorKeystoneLines?ItwouldbeveryhelpfulforbiketouristsfromNYCandPhiladelphiatogainaccesstoPittsburghandtheGreatAlleghenyPassage(GAP).
Plansareunderway;however,theprojectwillrequireextensivemodificationstoourentireNortheastfleet.NortheastRegionalandKeystonetrainsuseAmfleetequipment,whichwentintoserviceinthe1970swithoutbicyclecarriageinmind.MostNortheastRegionaltrainsdonothavebaggageservicesocannotoffertrainsidecheckedservice.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipmentaswellassecurefundingagreementsbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
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ThereisgreatinterestinRoanoke,VAtoallowbikesonNortheastRegionaltrains.WhatstepsisAmtraktakingwiththemanyinvolvedstatestomovethisoptionforward,anddoyouhaveascheduleforwhenbikesontheNortheastRegionalmightbeareality?
ServicetoRoanokeisanextensionoftheNortheastRegionalservice.TheservicetoRoanokewillnothaveabaggagecar/checkedbaggage,sonocheckedbikeserviceinitially.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipment.
Whathappenedtothepilotproject,whichretrofitbikerackstotheexistingAmfleetcars?ItrolledacrossNewYorkforsometrialsbutIhaveheardnothingsince.
Plansareunderway;however,theprojectwillrequireextensivemodificationstoourentireNortheastfleet.
IwanttorollmybikeontoanAmtraktraininAlbany,NY,andtraveltotheAdirondackstoride.(Idon'twanttoboxmybike).WhencanIrollmybikeontoatrainandtraveltotheAdirondacks?ThishasbeentalkedaboutforovertwoyearsyetIstilldon'tthinkAmtrakoffersthisservice.What'stalkingsolong?ThiswouldbenefitcyclistswhowanttoexploretheAdirondacksbybike,aswellasincreaseridershipforAmtrak.
TheAdirondackroutedoesnothaveabaggagecar,sowillnothavetrainsidecheckedservice.TheAdirondacksharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentirestateofNYandNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourentirefleetintoheNortheast.Inaddition,fundingandschedulesneedtobecoordinatebetweenAmtrak,theStateofNYaswellasseveralotherStatesintheNortheastandMid-Atlantic.
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SOUTHEAST
Theoretically,AmtrakservicewillbecomingtoRoanoke,Virginiainthenextfewmonths.Will"rollon"bikeservicebeprovidedwhenAmtrakdoesarriveinRoanoke?
ServicetoRoanokeisanextensionoftheNortheastRegionalservice.TheservicetoRoanokewillnothaveabaggagecar/checkedbaggage,sonocheckedbikeserviceinitially.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipment.
IsellbicyclestobikeshopsinVA,DC,andNC.IusemybicycleandAmtraktodomyjob.IwishIcoulduseAmtrakmore.MyhomestationisRVMRichmondDowntown.Itis1milefrommyhouse.Ihavetobike8.5milestoRVRStaplesMilltogetabaggage-enabledstation.WhenwillRVMhavebaggageandbicycleabilities?IuseAmtraktogotoRaleighandDC.Iwouldalsolikemorefrequenttimestotravelthoseroutes.
WeareworkingonopeningupbicycleserviceatRVMandshouldbeingofferingtrainsidecheckedservicethissummer.
Whatassurancetopassengerswithbikeshavethattheywon'tberequiredtodisassembletheircarry-onbikesandputtheminoverheadstorage?Thisisnotatheoreticalquestion,weweretoldwewouldhavetodothisontheTexasEagleonce,althoughadifferentconductortookpityonusandshowedusapatchoffloorspacewherewecouldstashourbikesinstead.Also,afriendofoursactuallyhadtodothis,I'mnotsureonwhichline.
Ifyoureservespaceontrainswithtrainsidecheckedbicycleservice,liketheTexasEagle,thecrewshouldhangyourbicycleforyouinthebaggagecarfullyassembledandunboxed.
WhenyourestorepassengertravelfromNewOrleanseastwillyoupromoteandfacilitatebicycletourists.
SincetheSunsetLimitedhasbaggageservice,trainsidecheckedbikeservicewillbeavailableto/fromstaffedstationsthatoffercheckedbaggageifpassengertravelisrestoredonthisrouteeastofNewOrleans
WilltheMissouriRiverRunneraccommodatebicycles?Ifso,whenwillservicebegin?Howmanybikes?Iwillhave5cyclistsinmygroupwhowanttotakeAmtrakfromStLouistoLee'sSummitMOthenbicyclebacktoStLouisontheRockIslandandKatyTrails.Lookingforwardtotheservice,thanks!
TheMissouriRiverRunnercurrentlyoffersCarryOnbikeservice.
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ThecurrentrulesandrequirementsattheSavannah,Georgiastationisalmostimpossibletodo.WhynotcopythesysteminSeattle,TheSoundTransitSystemhaswalkonaccommodationsforfourbikesonhooksandastandalongbike?Soundspossibleasasolution.
Savannah,GeorgiaoffersunboxedTrainsideCheckedBikeServiceto/fromallstationswithcheckedbaggageservice.SincethetrainequipmentinSeattleisdifferentfromwhat'susedinSavannah,itwouldbeimpossibletoreplicatetheircarry-onservice.
IplantotaketheTexasEaglefromChicagotoAustinandback.Shouldmybikebepackedinacase?Isa47X30X11caseacceptable?Willittravelinasecurebaggagecar/compartmentorwillIberesponsibleforitduringthetrip?
Passengersarewelcometopacktheirownbicyclesinacase,althoughit'snotrequiredaslongasyouaretravelingto/fromastaffedstationthatofferscheckedbaggage.Bikecontainersand/orbikestravelinsidebaggagecarsandarehandledbyAmtrakcrewmembers.TheTexasEagleoffersTrainsideCheckedservicebetweenAustinandChicago.Checkwiththecustomerserviceagentatthestationfordetails.
Whatisthecosttostoreabikeonthetrain:i.e.Lee'sSummit,MOtoSt.Charles,MO,alongtheKatyTrail
CheckAmtrak.comforpricingandavailability.
WhenwillwebeabletowheelourbikesdirectlyontothetraininPortlandandgotoWhitefishMOwithouthavingtotakethemapartandputinabox?Manypeopledonotknowhowtotakepedalsoffandmaynotbecomfortablewithturningtheirhandlebars,ortighteningthemupafterre-installing.
TheEmpireBuildersplitsoffinSpokaneandthebaggagecartravelstoSeattle.WehaveprojectsunderwaytoinstallbikeracksonthePortlandtoSpokanesectionoftheEmpireBuilder.WhenavailablewewillannounceviapressreleaseandofferforsaleonAmtrak.com.
OneofthelongestrailstotrailroutesintheUSendsinAnniston,AL(TheSilverComet/ChiefLagedaTrail),yetthereisnobikeserviceavailablefromtheAmtrakstationinAnniston.Anyplanstofixthat?
AmtrakisworkingwiththeStateofAlabamaonexpandingbikeservicetoAnniston.Enhancementstotheplatformwillneedtobemadetosafelyaccommodatebikes.
Whenwillyouofferrollon(notboxed)bicycleaccessontheTexasEagle?SpecificallybetweenDallasandTexarkana?
WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeontheTexasEagle,whichofferstrainsidecheckedbicycleservice.CheckAmtrak.comforavailabilityandtobookyourspace.Alsovisitamtrak.com/bikesfordetailsonpolicies/whereweofferservice.
IwanttotakemybikeontheCrescentlinebetweenWashingtonDCandGreenville,SC.Inoticedthatthislinerequiresyoutocheckyourbikeatthebaggagecar.WillIbeabletotakethebikeoffthetrainandbackonatGreenville,SC?
Yes!MakesuretoreserveyourspaceonAmtrak.comandcheckinwithanAmtrakcrewmemberontheplatformtoreceiveaclaimcheckforyourbicycle.
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QUESTIONSONSPECIFICLINES-WEST (NOTE-seeWestCoastforCA,ORandWA)WillAmtrakconsider'rollon-rolloff'serviceonlongdistancetrains?Iwanttoaccessstationswithmybicycle(Elko,NV)thatcurrentlydonothavecheckedbaggageservice.
WeareworkingonmodifyingmoreequipmenttoexpandCarryOnServicetomorelongdistancetrains,includingtheCaliforniaZephyr.Elko,Nevshouldhavecarry-onservicebynextyear.Wewillupdateourreservationsystemoncethatbecomesavailableand"AddBikeToTrip"willshowuponAmtrak.com.
Isitpossibletotakemybicycle(withtouringracks)onboardinDenverandtravelbyAmtraktrainwithittoVancouver,Canada?Istheresuchathingasa"get-offandget-backon"privilegethatwouldallowmetousemybicycletobrieflytourcitiesandtownswherethetrainstopsduringtravel?
ItispossibletocheckyourbicycleontheCAZephyr,theCoastStarlight,AmtrakCascadesandPacificNorthwestInterlinebuses.Therearenoon/offprivilegesforbicyclesmeaningyou'llneedtoreservespaceaheadoftimeandpayabicyclefeeeverytimeyoutakethetrain.
WilltherebebikeaccommodationsontraincarsfortheSouthwestChief?IwouldliketotakethetrainfromAlbuquerquetoGallup,NMandrideback.Atpresent,theonlyoptionistodisassemblethebikeandcheckasbaggage.Thanks!
TheSouthwestChiefoffersunboxedtrainsidecheckedbicycleserviceatstaffedstationsthatoffercheckedbaggage.WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeexceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder.Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.
Whendoyouexpecttohaveroll-onbikeserviceontheSouthwestChiefwhereIcanroll-onmybikeinFlagstaff?
TheSouthwestChiefhastrainsidecheckedbicycleservicefromFlagstaffrightnow.Aslongasyou'retravelingtoanotherstaffedstationwithcheckedbaggageservice,youcancheckyourbikes(unboxed)onthistrain.Customerscanalsosearchforspecificstationamenitiesathttps://www.amtrak.com/find-train-bus-stations-train-routes."Checkedbaggageservice"willappearunderthe"Baggage"tabonindividualstationinformationpages.
CanserviceatsmallerstationssuchastheoneinFraser,Coloradobeexpandedtoallowbikeloading?IcurrentlyhavetoboardinDenverifIwanttotravelwithmybike.
Fraser-WinterParkcurrentlyoffersTrainsideCheckedBikeService.
Wouldyoupleasemakesuretooffer--andpublicize--theopportunityforbicycliststocatcharideonthetrolleythatgoesfromCraterLakeNationalParktoKlamathFalls?Thisisanimportantshuttle.
Thanksforthetip!Wewillevaluatewherethiscontentcouldbebestpromoted.
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I'mplanningabiketouraroundGlacierNationalPark,andwonderifIcantakemybikeinahardshellcasewithrollersfromNewJerseytoGlacier.ThetrainswouldbetheNortheastRegional,CapitalLimitedandEmpireBuilder,oralternativelytheCardinalandEmpireBuilder.Thanks!
TheCardinalandEmpireBuilderareyourbestbets.Visityourlocalstationtospeakwithacustomerserviceagentabouthandlingyourbikecase.
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WESTCOAST Whatwillittaketohaveroll-on/roll-offserviceontheCoastStarlightandotherlong-distancetrainssimilartotheserviceontheCascadestrains?I'dbewillingtopayanextra$5or$10forthisconvenience.IoftentravelbetweenSalemandKlamathFallsandwouldlovetotakemybikealongeasily.
TrainsidecheckedbicycleserviceisavailableontheCoastStarlightbetweenKlamathFallsandSalemfor$20eachway.TheprocessissimilartotheCascadeswhereyoureservethespaceaheadoftimeandhandyourbiketoatrainattendantwhowillhangyourbikeforyouinthebaggagecar/bikestoragearea.
WhenwillbikeservicebeavailableontheCoastStarlight?Thetraingoestothemostbikefriendlycityinthenation,Portland,OR,whichdefinitelywarrantsatrainwitheasybikeaccommodation(alsohitsSeattleandSanFrancisco,otherbikefriendlycities).IliveinRedding,CAwhereIcannotevenloadmybikeon,asthestophasnocheckedbaggage.Bikesshouldn'tbecountedascheckedbaggage;theyshouldbeeasilyrolledonandoffthetrain(withnoassemblyordisassembly)andeasilyhungonarack.ThankyouforconsideringaddingeasilyaccessiblebikefacilitiesontheCoastStarlight.
WewillevaluatewhetherRedding,CAcansafelyhandlebicycles.Currently,thatstationdoesnotoffercheckedbaggageservice.Thereareseveralfactorsweconsiderlikeplatformlength,heightfromtheplatformtothebaggagecardoor,etc.whenmakingthisdecision.
WhatbikeserviceisavailablealongtheCaliforniaCoastanduptoVancouver,BC
TaketheCoastStarlight(LAtoSeattle)andtransfertotheAmtrakCascades(continuestoVancouver).Bothtrainshavecheckedbicycleservice.
Whycan'tIwheelabikeontotheCoastStarlight?IwouldliketousethetraintogetfromSimiValley,CAtoSalinas,CAandthenridedownHighway1onmybike.AstherulesstandnowIwouldhavetoboxupmybikeanddepartfromVanNuys,orCamarilloinstead-aseriousinconvenience!
WedonotrequireyoutoboxyourbicycleontheCoastStarlight.WeoffertrainsidecheckedserviceontheCoastStarlightatonlyatstaffedstationsthatoffercheckedbaggage.
Anyplansforbicycleserviceonthewestcoastthissummer?
VisitAmtrak.com/bikes
HowcanourbicyclegroupgetadedicatedtraincartoreturnfromSanDiegobacktoAnaheim?
ThemaximumnumberofbikeswecancarrybetweenSanDiegoandAnaheimis6.
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Canyoumakethebikeproceduresimplerandthesameforallroutesonthesameline?Wehavetofollowdifferentrulesgoinground-tripfromOlympiawhichmakesitimpossibletobringourbikes.Noboxrequirementiswhatweneed.
WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeexceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder.Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.
IamplanninganAmtraktrip(LOVEAMTRAK!)withmybicyclefromLosAngelestoChicagoandbackonSouthwestChief.IthinkIcancarrymybicycleunboxedorboxedanditcoststhesame.Woulditbepossibletoprovidemoredetailsonyourwebsiteastowhetherbicyclesarecarriedunboxedorboxed,inthecarriageorintheguardsvan,etc?Forexample,ifatripinvolvesasectionthatallowsunboxedandasectionthatrequiresboxesitwouldbegreattoknowduringtheplanningstagethatIreallyneedtoboxthebikeatthestart.The"AddBicycle"popupwouldbeidealforthis.
Visitamtrak.com/bikes.WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeexceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder.Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.
IsitpossibletogetonAmtrakinTruckee,CAwithmybike(notgettingboxedup),andarriveinFruitaandrollrightoffandgoriding?Ifthisisnotcurrentlyavailable,whenwillitbe?
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Weareworkingtoopenupbikeservicetounstaffedstationswheretheaboveconditionsaremetandoverallserviceisn'tnegativelyaffected.
WhenIlivedinUtahItooktheCaliforniaZephyrtoCaliforniaonaregularbasis,butfounditverydifficulttobringmybicyclebecauseonlycertainstationsallowedmetoputmybikeon/takeitoff.(Mylocalstationdidnotallowthis)ArethereplanstoallowbikestoboardatallstationsontheCAZephyr?Thanks!
WehaveplanstoofferbikeserviceatallstationsontheCaliforniaZephyr,butwemustfinishmodifyingourequipmentfirst.Fornow,werequirepassengerstochecktheirbikeinthebaggagecar,whichrequirestravelto/fromastaffedstationwithcheckedbaggage.
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TheCarry-OnserviceisonlyofferedintheNWontheCascadestrain.Whatcanriderstodorequestcarry-onservicebeextendedtoCalifornia?
TrainsidecheckedbicycleserviceisavailableontheCoastStarlightfor$20eachway.TheprocessissimilartotheCascadeswhereyoureservethespaceaheadoftime,checkinwithastationattendantforaclaimcheck,andhandyourbiketoatrainattendantwhowillhangitinthebaggagecar.
WhydidBikeServiceessentiallystoponservicebetweenSolanaBeach,CAandIrvine,CAtwoyearsago?SincethenwhilewefollowAMTRAKPolicyallowingBikesontheCars(ExtraFees,Reservations)havebeenatthediscretionoftheConductorsandtheyhavenevertoseldomgrantbikeaccesstothetrains.WestoppedusingAMTRAKbecauseoftherisk.(ofnotbeallowedonthetrainswiththebikes.)
CarryonbikeserviceisavailableonthePacificSurflinerbetweenthesestations.Reserveyourspaceaheadoftimetoguaranteeyourspot.
IamthePresidentoftheCovinaCycleClub.Forthepastseveralyearswehavebeenunabletohaveourannual100mileridefromAnaheimtoSanDiegobecauseAmtrakhasa7bikelimitonthetrainfromSanDiegobacktoAnaheim.ThisannualridewasusuallyheldonaSaturdaybetweenthemonthsofSeptemberandNovember.ThefirstyearthatIjoinedtheclubwewereabletohaveadedicatedtraincarforthe15-20ridersthatparticipated.However,forthepastthreeyearsthatIwaspresidentIhavebeenunabletofindoutfromAmtrakifthisispossible.Myquestionsareasfollows.1)IsthereawayfortheCovinaCycleClubtohaveacardedicatedfortheirriderstoreturntoAnaheimaftercompletingtheCenturyinSanDiego'sOldTown?2.)Whatwouldprocedure?3.)Whowouldwehavetocontacttomakethispossible.Thankyouverymuchforyourassistancewiththismatter.
TheLOSSANRailCorridorAgencyandtheOrangeCountyTransportationAuthoritydeterminetheequipmentusedandbicycleavailability/inventoryonPacificSurflinertrains.ContacttheAmtrakGroupTravelRequestdeskathttps://www.amtrak.com/group-travel-requests.TheGroupTravelagentswillworkwiththestaterailagencytodeterminewhethertheirrequestisfeasibleornot.Grouptravelissubjecttoequipmentavailabilityaswellasgeneralavailabilityonanyparticulartrain.
DoestheCoastStarlightallowforunboxedbikesnow?Ifso,howmany?
Yes.WecanaccommodateuptosixbikesontheCoastStarlight.VisitAmtrka.comtocheckavailabilityandtoreserveyourspace.
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Whencanweexpectroll-onbikecapabilityinCalifornia,ontheCoastStarlightspecifically,butalsoonallAmtraktrains???Thisserviceneedstobeprovidedacrosstheboard,notjustonacoupleofroutes.
WecanaccommodateuptosixbikesinthebaggagecarontheCoastStarlight.VisitAmtrka.comtocheckavailabilityandtoreserveyourspace.
DoestheEmpireBuilderhavewalk-onbikefacilitiesattheirSpokaneStation?AndalsothePortland,Oregonstation?
TheEmpireBuildersplitsoffatSpokaneandthebaggagecartravelsthroughtoSeattle.AprojectisunderwaytomodifyourequipmentsothatcarryonbikeservicecanbeprovidedbetweenPortlandandSpokane.Untilthen,westillrequireyoutoboxyourbicycleonthisportionoftheEmpireBuilder.WewillannounceviapressreleasewhenthisbecomesavailableaswellasofferitforsaleonAmtrak.com
WillyoupleaseincludetheEmpireBuilderasoneoftheroutesthatwillaccommodateandadvocateeasyaccessforcyclists?Ifso,couldapassengerplacetheirbikeonahookorsomesuchapparatus,wherebythebikedoesnotneedtobeplacedinaboxfortransportontrain?
TheEmpireBuildercurrentlyhastrainsidecheckedbicycleserviceatallstaffedstationsthatoffercheckedbaggageaswellasattheGlacierParkstations(whentheyareopenseasonally)andatWinona,IL.PassengerstravelingbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilderarestillrequiredtoboxtheirbicyclesuntiladditionalbikeracksareinstalledonthisequipment.
IwouldliketoknowwhenwewouldgetwalkonfortheCaliforniaZephyr?
TrainsideChecked(unboxed)bicycleserviceisavailablenowontheCAZephyr.
WeliveintheSanFranciscoBayAreaandwehaverepeatedlytriedtoplanvacationswithourbikesviaAmtrakwithoutsuccess.Forexample,EmeryvilletoTruckeeortheAuburnareaorEugeneorsmalltownsinColorado.Ifatrainstationdoesnothavebaggageservice,thereisnowaytoretrieveyourbikeorloadabikeattheintendeddestination.HowcanAmtrakmakesmallertrainstationsaccessibleforbicycletravelers?Thankyou.
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Iftheaboveconditionsaremetsafelyandefficiently,wegenerallywillopenupthespace.Wehaveanextensivequeueofunstaffedstationstoevaluateatthemoment.OnceavailablewewillopenupforsaleonAmtrak.com.
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Willtherebeawaytoloadorunloadbikesatstationthatdon'thavefullbaggagecarservice,e.g.CaliforniaZephyratTruckee?
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Thatbeingsaidiftheaboveconditionsaremetsafelyandefficiently,wegenerallywillopenupthespace.Wehaveanextensivequeueofunstaffedstationstoevaluateatthemoment.OnceavailablewewillopenupforsaleonAmtrak.com.
IsAmtrakconsideringCarry-OnBicycleServicefortheCoastStarlight?
TrainsideChecked(unboxed)BikeServiceisavailableontheCoastStarlight.CheckAmtrak.comforavailabilityandtoreserveyourspace.
WhenwillAmtrakemployroll-on/roll-offatallstops?IwouldusetheZephyrmuch,muchmoreifIcouldrolloffatstopswithoutcheckedbaggage.
ProjectsareunderwaytoexpandcarryonbikeservicetoallstationsalongtheCaliforniaZephyrroute.Sinceequipmentandstation/platforminfrastructurevariessomuchacrossthecountry,standardizedroll-onservicenationwideisalmostimpossible.
AsabusinessownerinWashington,atownwhichseesmanytouristscomeinonAmtrak,andwhichaccesstheKatyTrail,apopularbicycletrail,wewanttoknowifAmtrakisdoinganythingtoincreaseaccommodationsforcyclistsalongtheRiverRunnerroutewhichrunsalongtheKatytrailfromWashingtontoKansasCity.
WerecognizethattheMissouriRiverRunnerisapopularrouteforcyclists.Therearenoimmediateplanstoincreasebicyclecapacityonthatroutebutitisdefinitelyonourradar.
Amtraklovesbikes?NotontheSurfliner--forsomereason,only6bikesallowedpertrain.Also,goingfromSanDiegotoSLO,noguaranteethatmybikewillfitontheAmtrakbus--Ihadtotakemychancesatafriendlybusdriver.WhenwillAmtraktrulybecomebikefriendlyandpermitamorereasonablenumberofbikesonthetrain(andguaranteeitalltheway)?
TheLOSSANRailCorridorAgencyandtheOrangeCountyTransportationAuthoritydeterminetheequipmentusedandbicycleavailability/inventoryonPacificSurflinertrains.
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QUESTIONSABOUTBOARDINGANDSAFETYOFBIKEONTRAIN
HowdoIdetermineifIcantakealonganunboxedbikeataparticularstation?IwenttotheAmtraksiteveryrecentlyanditstillwasnotclear.InthepastIcouldonlytakeboxedbikesonboardatmystation.
Ifthe"AddBiketoTrip"buttonshowsuponAmtrak.combetweenyouroriginanddestinationcities,younolongerhavetoboxyourbike.ThePortlandtoSpokaneportionoftheEmpireBuilderiscurrentlytheonlytrainthatrequiresyouboxyourbike.
CanyoumakeiteasiertofindouthowtogetabikeonanAmtraktrain;whetheritneedstobeboxed,anyextrafees,etc.
VisitAmtrak.com/bikes
Howwillbikesbesecuredonthetrain?Cantheybetakenacrosscountry?likePhiladelphiatoChicago...thenwhenyouwanttogoeatinadifferentcar,wherearethebikes?Aretheylocked?Dotheystayinyourlocalproximity/seats?Iamactuallyconsideringthistripthissummer...
You'llneedtotaketheAmtrakCardinaliftravelingbetweenPhiladelphiaandChicagowithyourbike.Thistrainofferstrainsidecheckedbicycleserviceandthecostis$20eachway.YourbicyclewillbestoredinsidethebaggagecarbyanAmtrakcrewmemberandyou'llneedtoretrieveitfromthebaggagecarwhenyouarriveatyourdestination.
IfyouareabletobringbikesfullyassembledonallAmtraktrains,wherewilltheybestoredwhileridingthetrain?
OntrainswithTrainsideCheckedservice;bikesarestoredinsideofbaggagecarswhereonlycrewmembersareallowed.Ontrainswith'CarryOn'service,customershangbicyclesthemselvesinsidedesignatedareaswithinpassengercoaches.
Whatsecurityisprovidedforbikesbroughton-board? Youarewelcometolockyourbikewhenitisstoredonboard.Whenbikesarestoredinbaggagecars,onlyAmtrakpersonnelhaveaccesstothatareaofthetrain.
Icannotliftmybike,whataccommodationscanyouprovidepeoplegettingonandoffthetrainandsecurebikeparkinginsidethetrain?
Customersarewelcometobringtheirownbikelockstosecuretheirbicyclestotheracks.Amtrakequipmentwasorderedoverfourdecadesagowithoutbikesinmindatthetime.CombinedwithvaryingplatformheightsandlengthsatstationsAmtrakdoesnotown,fornow,werequirecustomerstobeabletolifttheirbicycles.Boxedbicyclesarehandledbytraincrewsandstationpersonnelsothatisyourbestbettoensureyouwon'thavetoliftyourbicycleontothetrain.
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Willtherebeawaytoloadorunloadbikesatstationthatdon'thavefullbaggagecarservice,e.g.CaliforniaZephyratTruckee?
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Thatbeingsaidiftheaboveconditionsaremetsafelyandefficiently,wegenerallywillopenupthespace.Wehaveanextensivequeueofunstaffedstationstoevaluateatthemoment.OnceavailablewewillopenupforsaleonAmtrak.com.
Ifindavailabilityofservicecompletelyconfusing.Onsometrainsyoucanwalkinyourbike,othersyouhavetogiveittoanattendant,inothersyetitneedstobepackedinabox.Couldthisinformationbeavailableatticketpurchasingtime
Amtraktrainequipmentvariesacrossthecountry;hencethedifferenceinbicyclestorageacrossdifferenttrains.TofigureoutwhichtrainsofferwhichservicecheckoutAmtrak.com/bikes.Weareworkingonupdatestoourreservationsysteminthemeantimesodistinctionsbetweenserviceswilleventuallybeavailablewhenyoubookyourtrip.
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GENERALQUESTIONS BICYCLETOURING:HowdoItakemybikeonAmtrakcross-country?
Visitamtrak.com/bikes.WeoffertrainsidecheckedbicycleonallLongDistanceto/fromstaffedstationsthatoffercheckedbaggage.
BICYCLETOURING:Iaminterestedinbicycletouringandwouldliketobeabletogetmybikeonthetrainwithoutdisassemblingit.CanwegetarearcarforbicyclesonlyliketheydoinEurope?IthinkAmtrakcanmakeagreatleapinthetouringindustryforbikerstogettoandfromtheirdestinations.Itwouldbeawesome!
Visitamtrak.com/bikes.Wenolongerrequireyoutodisassembleyourbikeandboxit(exceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder).
BOXINGBIKES:Arethetrains/routes/individualstationsthatpermitbicycles1)withnoboxand2)inabox,readilyidentifiedontheAmtrakwebsite?Ifnot,howwouldonefindout?
WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbicycleexceptforthePortlandtoSpokanelegoftheEmpireBuilder.Visitamtrak.com/bikesforalltheinfo.
BOXINGBIKES:Notaquestion,butIwouldliketosaythatI'dlikeapolicywherewedon'thavetoboxbikes.IfIwanttobicycleoverseveraldaysandtakethetrainback,itisdifficultifnotnearimpossibletoboxthebike.
WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeexceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder.Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.
BOXINGBIKES:Whytoyoumakecyclistsboxbicycles?Especiallyiftravellingbybicycle(andtrain)thisisanextraexpenseandhassle...
WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeexceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder.Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.
BOXINGBIKES:Willyouhavespecialboxcarsforbicycles,asopposedtotakingthebicyclesapartandputtingtheminboxes?
WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeonanytrainwithbikeserviceexceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder.Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.
INCREASESERVICE:Idonotunderstandwhybikearenotallowedonallroutes.AsanexampleIwillbedoingarideinLancaster,PAinAugust.AlthoughatraingoestherefromNYCthetraindoesnottakebikes.ItravelofteninEuropeandbikesarenotaproblem.InItalythefirstcarofeverytrainhasracksforbikesexceptfortheveryfasttrains.
Weareplanningtoexpandbikeservicetomorestationsandroutes,butsinceourequipmentvariesacrossthesystemitwouldbeimpossibletoofferidenticalcarryonservicenationwide.Thereareanumberofvariablesinadditiontocost.Track,stationandtunnelinfrastructureplayahugerole.Forexample,Superlinercars(bi-levelequipment)willnotfitintheHudsonRiverTunnelsinNY,orthetunnelsatWashingtonUnionStation.Thisisoneofmanyexamplesofwhyequipmentvariesacrossournetwork.
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INCREASESERVICE:I'veusedthebikeservicequitealot.OntheCascadesrouteIwasusuallyabletocheckmybikewithoutthemassivehassle,riskofdamage,andexpenseofputtingitinabox.PlusIcanridetothestationandrideawayatmydestination,makingmefarmorelikelytochooseAmtrakoveroptions.Igladlypay$5or$10forthatservice.Myquestionis:CanyouprovidethisserviceonallAmtraklines?Ifnot,why?Thebaggagecarsappeartohaveplentyofroom.Thanks!
WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeexceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder.Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.
INCREASESERVICE:WeapplaudAMTRAK'swillingnesstoinstallroll-onserviceaboardtheCapitolLimitedtrain.Thisrequiredseveralyearstocomplete(fromwhenAMTRAKfirstpledgedtoofferthisservice).Twoquestions:WHENwillAMTRAKexpandroll-onservicenationally,andWHATisAMTRAKdoingtoremovethebarriersthatdelayfurtherdeployment?Thankyou!
Weareplanningtoexpandthisservicetoadditionalroutes,butsinceourequipmentvariesacrossthesystemitwouldbeimpossibletooffersimilarcarryonservicenationwide.
INCREASESERVICE:Whatisthetimelineforhaving"rollon"bikeserviceforthewholeAmtraksystem?WhatabouttheEmpireBuilderinparticular?
Sinceequipmentandstationandplatforminfrastructurevariesacrossthesystemit'snearlyimpossibletoofferidentical"rollon"servicenationwide.TheEmpireBuildercurrentlyoffersTrainsideCheckedbicycleservice.WecurrentlyrequireyoutoboxyourbikebetweenPortlandandSpokane,howeverprojectsareunderwaytomodifyequipmenttoexpandcarryonservicetothislegoftheroute.
INCREASESERVICE:Willtherebebicycleserviceonalltrains?Whichstopswillbeavailableforloadingandunloadingbikes?WillbikesbeallowedonAmtrakbuses?
Weareworkingtoexpandbikeservicetoasmanystationsaspossible.Forthemostup-to-dateinfoonwhereyoucantakeyourbikevisitamtrak.com/bikes
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INCREASESERVICE:Woulditbepossibletoofferbikeserviceonallroutesandschedules?IwantedtotakemybicyclefromBostontoNewarkthispastautumnandtherewereonly5spacesallottedforbicyclesonthetrainanditarrivedat3:00a.m.Thisisnotapracticalwaytotravelwithmybicycleforme.
Sinceequipment,stationsandplatforminfrastructurevaryacrossthecountryit'simpossibletoofferidenticalbikeserviceonallroutesandatallstations.NortheastRegionaltrainsuseAmfleetequipmentwhichwentintoserviceinthe1970swithoutbicyclecarriageinmind.MostNortheastRegionaltrainsdonothavebaggageservicesocannotoffertrainsidecheckedservice.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipmentaswellassecurefundingagreementsbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
INCREASESERVICE:Couldyoupleaserampupyourservicessothatbikeriderscanbringtheirbikesoneverytrain(oralmosteverytrain)?
Sinceequipment,stationsandplatforminfrastructurevaryacrossthecountryit'simpossibletoofferidenticalbikeserviceonallroutesandatallstations.Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Iftheaboveconditionsaremetsafelyandefficiently,wegenerallywillopenupthespace.Wehaveanextensivequeueofunstaffedstationstoevaluateatthemoment.OnceavailablewewillopenupforsaleonAmtrak.com.
INCREASESERVICE?ArethereanyplanstoincreasethenumberoflocationsAmtrakservestoincludebaggageservicesothatbikesmaybechecked?e.g.IoncetriedtotakeabikewithmefromOceansidetoCincinnativiaChicago,butcouldnotbecausetherewasnobaggageservicefromChicagotoCincinnati.
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.
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INCREASESERVICEWhenwillitbeavailableforthetrainlinesthatdon'thaveityet,liketheKeystoneorNortheastCorridor?Bikesareanimportantpartofmultimodaltransportation,anditwouldbegreattohavethisoptionontheselines.
Plansareunderway;however,theprojectwillrequireextensivemodificationstoourentireNortheastfleet.NortheastRegionalandKeystonetrainsuseAmfleetequipmentwhichwentintoserviceinthe1970swithoutbicyclecarriageinmind.MostNortheastRegionaltrainsdonothavebaggageservicesocannotoffertrainsidecheckedservice.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipmentaswellassecurefundingagreementsbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.
INCREASEDSERVICE:WhatplansdoesAmtrakhavetoinstallbikeracksateachoftheirtrainstations?
Manystationsareownedbystatesorlocalgovernments.Yourbestbetistoadvocateatthelocallevelforbikeracksatstations.
LIMITEDSERVICE:Whyisthenumberoftrainssolimited?Forexample,tobringabikefromBostontoDCbytrainrequiresanovernighttrainride,whichhardlyleavestheriderinshapetostartabiketouruponarrival,andalsorequirespaymentforanunusednightoflodgingtobeabletorestuptobeginajourneyorevenstayforsightseeing.Iunderstandthatbikesmighttakeupseating,butsinceyouarealreadyseverelylimitingthenumberofbikesonanytrain,itwouldbegreatlyappreciatedifcyclistscouldrollandrideduringreasonablehours.
Trains65,66,67aretheonlyNortheastRegionaltrainswithabaggagecar/checkedbicycleservice.Weareworkingonalonger-termsolutiontomodifytheequipmentintheNortheasternUnitedstatestoexpandcarry-onbikeservicetoNortheastRegionaltrains.
MAJORCITIES:Whycan'tyouhavebikeservicetomajorcities,evenifitisonlyonafewservicesaday?WewouldlovetotakeourbikestoNewYork,toWilliamsburg,toCharlottesville,toLancaster(PA),andmore.Ifyouhadacar(asCaltraindoes)wherewecouldjusthookthebikeonoroff,itwouldbeeasytograbthebikeandgetoffatastation-nospecialbikecarloadingandunloadingneeded.
Weoffertrainsidecheckedandcarryonbikeservicetomostmajorcities.VisitAmtrak.com/bikesfordetailsonwhichroutescarrybicycles.
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NON-BAGGAGESTOPS:Somestation,eventhosewithlongplatforms(suchasWenatcheeWA)donotallowloadingandunloadingofbikes.Thereasonseemstobe"Thereisnobaggagemasteratthestation.Sinceoneneedstohandthebikedirectlyintothebaggagecar,whymusttherebeabaggagemaster?
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Iftheaboveconditionsaremetandapprovedbytraincrewsandtrainoperationsstaff,wewillopenupthespace.Sincethereareanumberofunstaffedstationsunderreview,wewilladdChampaigntoourqueuetoevaluate.Thanksforthetip.
NON-BAGGAGESTOPS:Whatcanbedonetoallowbikestobeboardedatnon-luggagestops?CurrentlyIhavetogointoChicagotofindaluggagestop.Nextoneis100+mileswest
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Weareworkingtoopenupbikeservicetounstaffedstationswheretheaboveconditionsaremetandoverallserviceisn'tnegativelyaffected.
NON-BAGGAGESTOPS:Inthepast,whenI'vetraveledbyAmtrakwithmybike,I'vebeenlimitedtostationswithbaggagehandlingforbeingabletoloadandunloadmybike.ThiswasverylimitinginwhereIcouldgoandstartmytrip.Isthislimitationstillinplace?Ifyes,arethereanyplanstochangethispolicy?
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Thatbeingsaidiftheaboveconditionsaremetsafelyandefficiently,wegenerallywillopenupthespace.Wehaveanextensivequeueofunstaffedstationstoevaluateatthemoment.OnceavailablewewillopenupforsaleonAmtrak.com.
OLDERAMERICANDISCOUNT:WillAmtrakandbikeservicebeaffordableforseniorsonfixedincomes?Ilovedridingthetrainsinthe1950sandmywifeandIwouldnothesitatetotravelAmericawithourbikesif
Comparedtoflyingwithabicycle,whichwillrunyouaminimumof$100eachway,our$20feeiswaymoreaffordable.
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itwereaffordable.Beingabletotakearoadbikeandamountainbikewouldtruly,belivingthedream.
ROLLONATUNSTAFFEDSTATIONS:Whenwillyouallowpassengerroll-onbikeserviceatstationsthatdonothaveAmtrakpersonnelon-sitetoloadyourbike?NowIhavetoshipmybiketoUSPostOfficesincitiesthathavestationsbutnoAmtrakpersonnel.Iconsiderthatbadservice.Plusit'samajorhassle(andcostly)toshipyourbikeandnottobeallowedtosimplybringyourbikealongwithyouonthetrain.Thankyou.
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatunstaffedstations.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.
STORAGEAREAS:I'dliketoseeaphotoofwhatthebikestoragelookslikeonthedifferenttrains.IreallywanttotakeatrainfromRenotoPortlandandridebackdownalongthecoastofOregon.Ilookeditupanditappearstherearewaysformetodosowithouthavingtodisassembleandreassemblemybike--whichisahugeplusforme.Ijustwanttoseewhatthestoragearealookslikeforbikes.
Bikesarestoredeitherinbaggagecarsonracksandhandledbytraincrewsorbypassengersindesignatedbikerackareasinsidepassengercoaches.Visitamtrak.com/bikesfordetails.
STORAGE:Arethesebicycleracksinsideoroutsidethetraincabins?Arethebicyclesexposedtotheelements?
Bikeracksarealwaysinsideofpassengercoachesorbaggagecars.
TRAINSWITHBIKESTORAGE:Yespleaseexplainwhichtrainsrouteswillhaverollonbikestorageracks.Ratesandbicyclesallowed.Willpedalecbikesbeallowed?
VisitAmtrak.com/bikes
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UNEVENRULES:WhydoyoumaintainapolicythatisunevenlyenforcedstatingthatallbagsandotheritemsneedtoberemovedfrommybiketotakeitonAmtrakCascadesroll-onservice?Ihavebagsthatarepermanentlyattachedandcannoteasilyberemoved,andI'vegotnoissuetakingmybikeassuchonanyotherformoftransportation.I'vehadmajorissueswithbaggagehandlersovertheyearsduetotheiradherencetothisoutdatedpolicy,andIrefusetobringmybikeonAmtrakuntilitisrectified.Inthemeantime,IcanrideonBoltBusformuchcheaperandbringafullyloadedtouringbikeonwithoutsomuchasanextrafee.Untilyoufixthis,you'velostaprevioushappycustomer,andanentiregroupoftouringcyclistswhosetravelscouldbemadesomucheasierwithamorelenientandconsistentbikepolicynationwide.Idon'tcareabouttheliabilityofmybags.Ijustdon'twanttobeharassedbyeveryotherbaggageagentaboutmymodeoftransportation.Thankyou.
Werequirethismainlyfortworeasons,bothofwhichmakethingseasierforyou:Bicyclesarehungverticallybytheirfrontorbackwheelsusingspecialbiketirehooks.Theaddedweightfromattachedbagsputsalotofstressonyourwheelsasthebicyclehangsduringyourjourney.Removingpanniersandbagsminimizestheriskofdamagetoyouduringboardingoryourbicycleduringthejourney.Theboardingprocessmovesfairlyquickly(insomecasesinunderfiveminutesorless).Removingandconsolidatinganylargerbicyclebagsandaccessorieswillmakethisprocessgoalotsmootherforyouandotherpassengers.
UNEVENRULES;Whyisbikeserviceonlyallowedatcertainstations?Arethereanyplanstoexpandservicetoallstations?
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.
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UNEVENRULES:IhaveusedtheAmtrakCascade,thePacificSurfliner,theMissouriRiverRunner,andtheCarlSandburgwithoutboxingmybike.Itwasn'talwayshasslingfree,butIwasabletodoit.However,mytrainto/frommyhometown,Albuquerque,istheSWChief.NothavingtoboxmybikeontheSWChiefisarealgamechanger.Unfortunately,theplaceswhereIcanembarkanddisembarkwithmytouringbikeontheSWChiefareverylimited.Withmoreandmorepeopletouring;especiallyHistoricRoute66itwouldbegreatifwecouldquicklyandeasilyloadandunloadinmoreplaces;especiallyinCalifornia.TheMohaveDesertcanbearealshowstopperfortouringcyclistsanytimeoftheyear.SpecificallyI'mwonderingaboutthefactthattherearenocheckedbaggagestopsbetweenFlagstaffandFullerton.NotevenWilliams,AZ,whichiswhereyouwouldideallyembark/disembarkfortheGrandCanyon.ThesamesituationexistsonthesouthernAmtrakroutes.TheNatchezTraceParkwayisapopulartouringroute,whichIamgoingtocheckoffmybucketlistthisFall.However,therewasnowaytouseAmtrakwithmytouringbike,becausetherearesofewcheckedbagstops.Itypicallyspendseveralthousanddollarspertour,butunfortunatelyAmtrakwillnotbegettinganyofitthistime.Inanycase,thankyoufornothavingtoboxorshipmybikeseparatelymoreofthetime.Iloveridingthetrain,butithastobepracticaltoo.
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Weareworkingtoopenupbikeservicetounstaffedstationswheretheaboveconditionsaremetandoverallserviceisn'tnegativelyaffected.
UNEVENRULES:RollUp(noboxing,butbikeinbaggagecar)isgreat,buttherearealotofstopswhereit'snotavailable.Evenifthereisn'tnormallybaggageservice,theredoesn'tseemtobeareasonwhyyoucan'tofferthisserviceateverystop.
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasschedule
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implications.
UNEVENRULES:WhydoesAmtrakhavedifferentbikepoliciesondifferentlines,includingsomethatrequireboxingupabikebeforeboarding(butnotprovidingboxesatthestations)?Thismakesitunbearablycomplicatedtoplantravelanddissuadescustomersfromintermodaloptionsand"first/finalmile"connectivitybybike.HasAmtrakreconsideredthispiecemealapproach?
WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbikeexceptforbetweenPortlandandSpokaneontheEmpireBuilder.Currently,onlystandardsizebicycles(50lbs.orless,70"x41"x8.5")willfitinourracks.VisitAmtrak.com/bikesforafulllistofroutesandpolicies.Equipmentislimited–wecan'tincreasebikerackinventoryattheexpenseofpassengerseatingandoperationalefficiency.Equipmentisusedinterchangeably–weneedmorebikerackcoachesthanyouwouldthinktobeabletoofferbikeserviceFundsaregenerallylimitedandhavealotofcompetingdemandsEquipmentisold,andinsomecasesitisnotclearwhetherweshouldinvestinbikeracksfortoday’sequipmentorwaitforthenextgeneration.
UNEVENRULES:WhydoesAmtrakonlyacceptbikesatSOMEstations,evenonatrainthat'ssupposedtobeequippedforbicycles
Wehavetotakeanumberofthingsintoaccountwhendeterminingwhethertoofferbikeserviceatanunstaffedstation.Mainly:1)platformheight-isitsafeforpassengerstolifttheirbicyclesuptoacrewmemberinsidethebaggagecar?2)Platformlength/condition-Ifthetrainrequiresadoublestopduetoashortplatform,wemustgetpermissionfromthehost/freightrailroadtodoso.Thisalsohasscheduleimplications.Thatbeingsaidiftheaboveconditionsaremetsafelyandefficiently,wegenerallywillopenupthespace.Wehaveanextensivequeueofunstaffedstationstoevaluateatthemoment.OnceavailablewewillopenupforsaleonAmtrak.com.
UNEVENSERVICE:Wouldn'titbeeasierforyouifallraillinescouldtakebikesinarollon/rolloffway?Dispensewiththebotherofboxesandwheretostorethem.
Sinceequipmentandstationinfrastructurevariesacrossthesystem,it'simpossibletoofferidenticalrollonservicenationwide.WenolongerrequireyoutoboxyourbicycleexceptforonthePortlandtoSpokaneportionoftheEmpireBuilder.
WEBSITE:Myquestion(s)arebasicallywhatyousaidwillbediscussedatthesummitmeeting:HowcanIfindoutaboutbikeaccess,specificroutesandstations,
Visitamtrak.com/bikes
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andhowtobringmybikeonanAmtraktrain?
WEBSITE:wherecanyoufindinfoontheinternet/stationaboutwhatyouneedtogetyourbikeonthetrain?Cost/box/ontrainitself
Visitamtrak.com/bikes
WEBSITE/REGISTRATION:WillyoumakeitclearwhensearchingforanAmtrakrouteonyourwebsite,withouttheneedtovisitotherpagesonyourwebsite,thatbikerackaccess(noneedtoboxmybike),includingthenumberofracks,isavailableontherouteIwanttotake?
An"AddBiketoTrip"buttonwillappearifspaceisavailableonAmtrak.com.
WORKW/COMMUTERRAIL:HowcloselyisAmtrakworkingwithcountycommuterrail/traintransportationagenciesinmakingconnectionsseamlessor,betteryet,anactualthinginCalifornia?
Weworkverycloselywithourcommuterpartnersonoptimizingintermodaltransportation;howeverwithvaryingequipmentandinfrastructureacrosstheUnitedStatesitwillbeasignificantworkinprogress.
WORKINGW/COMMUTERLINES:IresideinUtahandVirginia.TheUTAwelcomesbicycles.ItriplemyuseofAmtrakintheNEcorridorifthetrainswerebicyclefriendly.WhyisitsochallengingtobringabikeonAmtrak?
NortheastRegionaltrainsuseAmfleetequipmentwhichwentintoserviceinthe1970swithoutbicyclecarriageinmind.MostNortheastRegionaltrainsdonothavebaggageservicesocannotoffertrainsidecheckedservice.TheNortheastRegionalservicesharesanequipmentpoolwiththeentireNortheasternUnitedStates.Inordertoprovidecarry-onbikeservice,we'llneedtomakeextensivemodificationstoourequipmentaswellassecurefundingagreementsbetweenAmtrakandseveralstates.