getting better bike access on Amtrak - lobbying effort
Now that stimulus funds are bringing high speed rail closer to being a reality, who's up for a lobbying campaign to help make better bike access a reality? We should work on our state AND federal legislators to sell the idea that improving bike access could significantly increase regional and long distance train ridership AND promote a more sustainable means of long distance travel. Seems like Midwest High Speed Rail could be a natural ally. Gotta make a call about that. Who's in?
Tags: Amtrak, lobbying, train, travel
Views: 401
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by jen on -
Those pics are from Caltrain in California. As far as I understand it the state of California bought those train cars outright for Amtrak to operate. Where as in Illinois and Michigan the states just pay for the service. Michigan has been saying for some time that with budget cuts they will be cutting the money for funding of the state train lines.
You currently can take your bike on the Hiawatha and Texas eagle as checked baggage in a bike box. Austin, Tx has just been added as a stop with checked baggage so all you hipsters going to sxsw can now bring your bikes.
Keith Holt said:Eric I don't know where the pics came from. I got them from Rick Harnish at Midwest High Speed Rail Assn about two months ago.
Folks-it's great see bikes on Transit is a priority for Active Trans. However, I think Anne's post says bikes on Amtrak for the Midwest. Getting bikes on Amtrak is a much bigger mountain to climb than the fight to get bikes on Metra.
For Bikes on Amtrak to be a success, it has to incorporate routes that are important to the Midwest; Hiawatha from Milwaukee to Chicago, Michigan Services from Chicago to Detroit, Texas Eagle Chicago to St Louis just to name a few.
Can we tell all our Midwest bike friends to voice support in their states and regions for Bike on Amtrak in the Midwest? What do you think?
BTW--Amtrak already allows roll on access for bike on the Illiniois Service route trains which happen to be state funded routes. Since the South Shore line usually follows Metra's lead and the next trains they will be purchasing are the double deckers with ADA measures. Bikes on the South Shore line is going to happen soon.
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Permalink Reply by Joe TV on -
I've just returned from a trip to NYC with my bike and the service with Amtrak was very convenient. The cost was $20 each way, which included a box. Handlebars must be turned sideways, and although the rules state that pedals must be removed, I was able to squeeze my steed into the box with pedals attached. Even had some help from some of the baggage folks at Union Station, who also had a toolbox available for the modifications. Baggage, including bikes, must be checked 30 minutes prior to departure. A very positive experience overall! Thanks Amtrak!
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Permalink Reply by jen on
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Joe glad you had a good trip! I like the photo of my friend Rick closing your bike box. Next time your in the station stop by ticket window 12 and say hi!
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Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on -
So much for stimulus money. Interesting that this was bounced the week Amtrak has to dole out a round of layoffs due to lack of funding.
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on -
Glad to hear that the trip worked out well.
Joe TV said:I've just returned from a trip to NYC with my bike and the service with Amtrak was very convenient. The cost was $20 each way, which included a box. Handlebars must be turned sideways, and although the rules state that pedals must be removed, I was able to squeeze my steed into the box with pedals attached. Even had some help from some of the baggage folks at Union Station, who also had a toolbox available for the modifications. Baggage, including bikes, must be checked 30 minutes prior to departure. A very positive experience overall! Thanks Amtrak!
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on
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Discouraging news. It's a good reason to keep lobbying our legislators in favor of continued Amtrak funding.
h' said:So much for stimulus money. Interesting that this was bounced the week Amtrak has to dole out a round of layoffs due to lack of funding.
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Permalink Reply by jen on
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Not sure where you get your information from but Amtrak has not done any layoffs.
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Permalink Reply by Cycle Collective on -
IL -> MI Amtrak trains (Blue water and Wolverine) are supposed to start roll-on service at some point, I think spring 2012 : http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/04/28/amtrak-aiming-for-roll-on-bic...
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Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on
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They are hoping that enough people will retire voluntarily that they won't have to. Playing out this week.
jen said:Not sure where you get your information from but Amtrak has not done any layoffs.
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Permalink Reply by jen on
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They have offered buy outs to non argeement employees only . The majority of workers at Amtrak are union employees and most off our departments are understaffed as it is. They really can't start layoffs anytime soon.
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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on -
In April 2011, the states of Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin applied for over $800 million in funding to collectively purchase new locomotives and train cars. In the application, the type or design of the cars was not described except to say how many would be regular class and how many would be business class. The application.
The project is called "Illinois next generation pooled equipment procurement".
In August 2011, Ray LaHood announced that the states will get $268,201,084 for 7 locomotives and 48 bi-level rail cars. The announcement.
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Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on -
On the Illinois Amtrak carry-on trains I've run into a woman conductor who insists that you have to remove the wheels to carry on the bicycle. There's nothing about this in their instructions or on their website, but just be warned in case you run into her on a trip. In both cases I got her name and filed a complaint. Amtrak's rules, however, do give the conductors full discretion.
All of the other conductors are very friendly and accommodating. On the carry-on trains it does help to have a bungee cord tho there isn't any really convenient place, except a vent, to use.
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