How to take bike on Metra train? logistics?

I'm considering taking my bike on the Metra - Union Pacific West line from the Ogilvie Train Station to visit some friends in Elmhurst, instead of them having to come pick me up at the train station.  I've taken the trip before (on foot), but never with a bike in tow. I was wondering about the logistics, like:

At Ogilvie, what is the best way to get the bike from street level to the train tracks? Do I have to come in a specific entrance?

Do I have to look for specific train cars that will can take bikes?

I'm a little anxious about it, so any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 22, 2011 at 3:57am

The time of earliest Saturday or Sunday trips varies considerably between lines. 

 

On the Rock Island, I can catch a train from Beverly around 7:00 a.m. on Saturdays to go downtown, but the first run leaving downtown is at 8:30.  On the UP-North, the first run leaves downtown at 6:35 a.m.  Milwaukee District-North or UP-Northwest - 8:30.  BNSF - 6:30.  Metra Electric - 5:15.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on February 8, 2012 at 12:04pm

What nice would this be? (shared by Village Cycle Center on facebook 

Permalink Reply by Ride it like you stole it on February 8, 2012 at 2:08pm

Be courteous.. The last one on, and the last one off. At Ogilvie it is easy to see if there is room for your bike on the train as it's not a get on/get off we are gone situation. On your return trip, you may want to ask the conductor if there is room for you. In the instance there is not, it will give you time to find another car to bring your bike on. Sometimes, those conductors do not want to wait for anything. 

As someone else mentioned.. By your ticket at the window cause of the extra fee. I know this was recanted by someone about the weekend pass regardless if tickets can be bought at the window, but I am not sure how true that is myself, and would not want to risk it.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 8, 2012 at 2:40pm

That's what I want! A whole Metra car just for me!

Julie Hochstadter said:

What nice would this be? (shared by Village Cycle Center on facebook 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 8, 2012 at 5:13pm

Every L train should have at least one car for bikes.  Maybe not racks -I'd be happy to hold my bike.  Just yank out all the seats of some of the older cars when they get new ones and  use the old ones as bike cars. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on February 8, 2012 at 5:15pm

The only part of the rules I'm NOT okay with is "last one on."  Too many non-handicapped lazy people park their butts in those seats if bikes don't get there first.  Some conductors are helpful in getting them to move.  Other conductors are not.

I've had enough problems with difficult people when I get on at a station in the middle of the line that I'll gladly put my bike on at the first opportunity at a downtown station.  If someone later gets on with a wheelchair, big stroller or has another good reason they need the handicapped seats, I move as needed.  We've never failed to work out positions that allow everyone to ride.  Of those trips, I think the record for amazingly efficient use of space was 2 wheelchairs, 4 bikes and a big stroller.

BTW, I've had plenty of summer rides on the Rock Island when I could have taken pictures similar to Iggi's.

Ride your bicycle everywhere said:

Be courteous.. The last one on, and the last one off. At Ogilvie it is easy to see if there is room for your bike on the train as it's not a get on/get off we are gone situation. On your return trip, you may want to ask the conductor if there is room for you. In the instance there is not, it will give you time to find another car to bring your bike on. Sometimes, those conductors do not want to wait for anything. 

As someone else mentioned.. By your ticket at the window cause of the extra fee. I know this was recanted by someone about the weekend pass regardless if tickets can be bought at the window, but I am not sure how true that is myself, and would not want to risk it.

Permalink Reply by Kathleen Murphy on February 8, 2012 at 6:15pm

Really, you don't even have to worry about looking for those stickers on the Union Pacific West line. I've ridden it hundreds of times, bike in tow, out to my parents' house in Glen Ellyn and have never seen a car that wasn't handicap-accessible. Which also means there's tons of room for bikes on that line. Really nice. I occasionally ride the BNSF line as well, where there will generally only be a couple of cars you can bring bikes on. Gets super crowded a lot of the time.

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