Friday, August 28, 2015
Amtrak to allow Walk-On Bicycle Service between DC and PIttsburgh
From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article Amtrak ready to allow roll-on bike service between Pittsburgh, D.C. (thanks to bikes@vienna for posting this info on Facebook):
With two premier bike trails parallel to the route, enthusiasts and bicycle organizations have long pressed the railroad to add the service. Currently, bikes must be dismantled and packed in boxes and can only be loaded on and off trains at staffed stations, of which there are none between here and Washington, D.C.
“The expansion of bike service will take place as early as next week,” Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods confirmed on Thursday.
Reservations will be required and the railroad will charge a $25 fee for the service, even though passengers will be responsible for rolling their bikes onto the trains, securing them, and rolling them off. Only standard-sized bikes will be permitted. The service will be available at all stations on the route, which extends from Chicago to Washington.
Kudos again to Virginia Bicycling Federation who have advocated for this service for many years. They took part in an earlier test that was key in proving that walk-on service could work.“The expansion of bike service will take place as early as next week,” Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods confirmed on Thursday.
Reservations will be required and the railroad will charge a $25 fee for the service, even though passengers will be responsible for rolling their bikes onto the trains, securing them, and rolling them off. Only standard-sized bikes will be permitted. The service will be available at all stations on the route, which extends from Chicago to Washington.
Nine other Amtrak trains currently offer Walk-On Bicycle Service:
| Number of Spots | Bicycle Reservation Required | Checked Service Available | Bicycle Fee | |
| Amtrak Cascades | 10 per train | Yes | Select Stations | $5 |
| Capitol Corridor | 6 per train | No | No | -- |
| San Joaquin | 6 per train | No | Select Stations | -- |
| Pacific Surfliner | 6 per train | Yes | Select Stations | -- |
| Downstate Illinois Services | 4 per train | Yes | No | $10 |
| Blue Water (trains 364 and 365 only) | 4 per train | Yes | No | $10 |
| Missouri River Runner | 4 per train | Yes | No | $10 |
| Downeaster (accepted at BRK, POR and BON stations only) |
8 per train | Yes | No | $5 |
| Piedmont | 6 per train | Yes | No | -- |
Labels: amtrak, amtrak roll on service, c and o canal, great allegheny passage
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Test of Amtrak bike roll-on service from Pittsburgh to DC - Update
Bike Maryland reports:
Kudos to Virginia Bicycling Federation for taking the lead on this effort. In August they circulated a letter to FABB and other bicycle advocacy groups asking for their support. Most groups, including FABB, signed on to the letter. VBF's hard working is starting to pay off.
Bike Maryland continues to work with a number of advocacy groups and leaders to bring bicyclists access to bring their bikes aboard Amtrak. Amtrak, working with the Virginia Bicycle Federation, has agreed to a test of roll-on bike service on the Capitol Limited from Pittsburgh to DC this Tuesday. Please note: all of the available bike racks have been filled on the test train but if you would like to see how the racks work, please join for the demonstration at Union Station. The Capitol Limited arrives at approximately 1:10 p.m. Champe Burnley, President of VA Bicycle Federation and a leader spear-heading this initiative states, "We're excited to have this opportunity to work with Amtrak to test roll-on service and look forward to increasing travel options for our citizens."
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| Great Allegheny Passage |
Amtrak today allowed 20 bicyclists to roll their two-wheelers onto the Capitol Limited train from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., in what enthusiasts hope will be a step toward full implementation of roll-on service.
"It went lickety-split," said Linda McKenna Boxx, president of the Allegheny Trail Alliance. "I don't think we cost Amtrak a second in dwell time."
Amtrak placed a baggage car with racks for six bicycles on the Capitol Limited for the one-day trial. Six cyclists got on in Pittsburgh and off in Connellsville, where six others with bikes boarded. Four bicyclists were to replace them in Cumberland, Md., and four others were to ride the leg from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., to the nation's capital.
Amtrak spokesman Craig Schulz could not offer a timetable for making the roll-on service permanent. He said the railroad will seek feedback from participants in the experiment and from train personnel, then try to identify a funding source to retrofit baggage cars with racks.
"Part of our mission is to be energy-efficient and a green mode of transportation," he said. "It's something we absolutely want to do."
Update: VBF participated in the test. See their report Bike Test on Amtrak’s Capitol Limited to DC."It went lickety-split," said Linda McKenna Boxx, president of the Allegheny Trail Alliance. "I don't think we cost Amtrak a second in dwell time."
Amtrak placed a baggage car with racks for six bicycles on the Capitol Limited for the one-day trial. Six cyclists got on in Pittsburgh and off in Connellsville, where six others with bikes boarded. Four bicyclists were to replace them in Cumberland, Md., and four others were to ride the leg from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., to the nation's capital.
Amtrak spokesman Craig Schulz could not offer a timetable for making the roll-on service permanent. He said the railroad will seek feedback from participants in the experiment and from train personnel, then try to identify a funding source to retrofit baggage cars with racks.
"Part of our mission is to be energy-efficient and a green mode of transportation," he said. "It's something we absolutely want to do."
Labels: amtrak roll on service, champe burnley, great allegheny passage
