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.?


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.


ForanumberofyearsinthepastIwasabletotravelonAmtraktrainswithmytandembicycle.Amtrakceasedacceptingtandembicyclesseveralyearsago.Why?


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.


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


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WillthereeverbebikeservicefortheWolverineline?IknowmanyresidentsinAnnArborandDetroitwhowouldvaluetheabilitytotaketheirbikestoChicagoonthetrain,butcurrentlydrivebecausethereisnottheavailabilityforthisatthepresenttime.


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.


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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?


WhenIlivedinUtahItooktheCaliforniaZephyrtoCaliforniaonaregularbasis,butfounditverydifficulttobringmybicyclebecauseonlycertainstationsallowedmetoputmybikeon/takeitoff.(Mylocalstationdidnotallowthis)ArethereplanstoallowbikestoboardatallstationsontheCAZephyr?Thanks!

WehaveplanstoofferbikeserviceatallstationsontheCaliforniaZephyr,butwemustfinishmodifyingourequipmentfirst.Fornow,werequirepassengerstochecktheirbikeinthebaggagecar,whichrequirestravelto/fromastaffedstationwithcheckedbaggage.

21

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.


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?


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.


BOXINGBIKES:Whytoyoumakecyclistsboxbicycles?Especiallyiftravellingbybicycle(andtrain)thisisanextraexpenseandhassle...


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!


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


NON-BAGGAGESTOPS:Inthepast,whenI'vetraveledbyAmtrakwithmybike,I'vebeenlimitedtostationswithbaggagehandlingforbeingabletoloadandunloadmybike.ThiswasverylimitinginwhereIcouldgoandstartmytrip.Isthislimitationstillinplace?Ifyes,arethereanyplanstochangethispolicy?


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?


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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.


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


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.

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