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Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on September 7, 2010 at 3:14am

My email from On the Bilevel after Blues Fest...
Also a conductor on the Milwaukee West Line this past Friday told me that the UP-NW are NOT acutally Metra employees. And that they work for the freight carriers. Is this true?


Mr. Carrier
You are correct, small folding bikes in a protective cover do not fall under the Blues Fest ban. The conductor does have some discretion here; the policy says "Folding bicycles in protective covers are permitted on all trains at all times but should not block train aisles or doorways." But it doesn't sound like you were doing that here. I'm forwarding your e-mail to UP so they can make sure their conductors know
the rules.
Michael Gillis
Metra Media Relations


Message: I have a folding bike and a protective cover for it. I was boarding the train at Mt. Prospect the weekend of Blues Fest. The conductor informed me that there were "No Bikes allowed". I had called the Friday before, and was told I would be able to travel with my bike. He did kindly let me ride to my destination. But I want to be clear what the policy is on folding bikes on trains with protective covers is.

Thank you, Lee

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 6, 2010 at 12:59am

On the UP lines (North, Northwest, West), it's my understanding that crews are Union Pacific employees. On the Rock Island and Metra Electric, they're Metra employees. Not sure about Southwest Service, Heritage Corridor, Milwaukee District North and West or North Central Service.

Cameron Puetz said:

I know that the crews on the BNSF line work for BNSF, not sure which other lines are that way. To anwswer your question, yes some conductors are Metra employees and some work for the freight railroads.

Lee Roy Carrier said:

My email from On the Bilevel after Blues Fest...
Also a conductor on the Milwaukee West Line this past Friday told me that the UP-NW are NOT acutally Metra employees. And that they work for the freight carriers. Is this true?


Mr. Carrier
You are correct, small folding bikes in a protective cover do not fall under the Blues Fest ban. The conductor does have some discretion here; the policy says "Folding bicycles in protective covers are permitted on all trains at all times but should not block train aisles or doorways." But it doesn't sound like you were doing that here. I'm forwarding your e-mail to UP so they can make sure their conductors know
the rules.
Michael Gillis
Metra Media Relations


Message: I have a folding bike and a protective cover for it. I was boarding the train at Mt. Prospect the weekend of Blues Fest. The conductor informed me that there were "No Bikes allowed". I had called the Friday before, and was told I would be able to travel with my bike. He did kindly let me ride to my destination. But I want to be clear what the policy is on folding bikes on trains with protective covers is.

Thank you, Lee

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 6, 2010 at 1:13am

After my problem during Jazz Fest, when security and a conductor tried to deny me boarding with my folding bike, I wrote to Metra Customer Service about it. Yesterday I got a response. Here's the guts of it.

"In previous years, bicycles were banned during the Jazz Festival weekend, but in 2010 it was decided to allow bikes on trains during that period. When the information was relayed to various departments, there was some sort of mis-communication which resulted in some of the onboard personnel reverting back to the prior year requirements.

I am truly sorry for all the people that were not allowed to transport their bicycles on the Rock Island District during the downtown event.

In reference to your being allowed to ride your bicycle closer to the cars used for boarding on the platform, ... not allowed due to safety factors ... It is our goal to try and keep all of our commuters safe."

I wrote back, thanking him for his response but clarifying one misunderstanding.

"I believe that you misunderstood what I said about wanting to get my folding bike closer to the open train car doors before folding and bagging it. I understand the safety reasons why riding in stations is not allowed...

What I was asking to do was walk my bike down the platform before folding it to carry aboard. I have done so many times on both rush hour and off-peak trips, keeping the bike clear of other passengers. I did so today at 95th St. and LaSalle St. stations during morning and evening rush hour without incident."

I thanked him again and offered my hope that Metra would continue to strive for better service for all passengers.

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