Metra changes bike policy to increase access
From the Active Trans blog...
After hearing from a growing number of bicyclists who ride Metra, Metra leadership took positive steps to better accommodate bicyclists today with changes to its bikes on trains policy.
Starting October 6, bikes will be allowed on some early morning trains and they will no...
The change allows passengers to bring their bikes on early morning rush hour trains that arrive downtown at or before 6:30 a.m. Under the current policy, bikes are banned from all trains arriving in Chicago before 9:30 a.m.
Additionally, Metra will eliminate bike blackout periods during special events such as the Taste of Chicago, Lollapalooza and the Chicago Air & Water Show.
Passengers will be permitted to bring their bikes on trains during those events, but will be cautioned that crowded conditions could prevent bicycle access for the rider’s initial or return trip. These “warning dates” will replace blanket blackout periods from the previous policy during which bikes were banned on all trains in both directions for the entire weekend of special events.
“We believe these changes will provide better service to bicyclists in a way that is safe for all passengers and onboard personnel,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno in a news release from Metra about the change.
Metra’s bikes on trains policy is a topic that comes up frequently in our conversations with Active Trans members and supporters, and we regularly talk with Metra leadership about ways the policy can be improved. In 2005, we helped convince Metra to expand bicycle access from one train per week to daily off-peak accommodation.
This summer, we approached Metra after hearing from many supporters frustrated by the blanket blackout periods during special events and the bike ban on early morning trains, even when trains are nowhere near full capacity.
We’ll continue to talk with bicyclists who ride Metra and agency leadership to identify more potential improvements.
Meanwhile, we remain committed to working with other non-profit organizations to push the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to allow bikes on South Shore Line trains. A feasibility study is currently underway on accommodating bicycles on the South Shore Line, one of the few remaining major commuter lines in the country that bans bikes.
Ted Villaire
Active Trans
Views: 1589
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-metra-bike-po...
I think the morning/evening restrictions will work out well.
I'd still be careful if planning to take Metra during the "warning dates" however.
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Evans on
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Their blanket ban never made any sense.
How many people are going to take the 12:40 PM train outbound on a Sunday, even during Taste or Lollapalooza?
Ridiculous.
Then you have the suburb-to-suburb commuters who never go near downtown. Why should they be inconvenienced because of some downtown festival?
All day festivals don't have crush loads, like during rush hour. It's a few extra passengers spread throughout the day.
Now let's get the CTA to rescind their July 4th ban on bikes on trains. Yet another senseless policy.
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Yes, yes, yes.
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Newman on
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Excellent news, and yes, it was very annoying not only being restricted to fold-bikes during the blackout but being made to fully collapse said fold-bike in a completely empty train car for no discernible reason. Glad to hear these rules are becoming more sensible, and thanks for the good work Active Trans.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Blumenthal on
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Living downtown I'm always the reverse passenger with bicycle -- but it's a folder in a bag just in case. I really do hope that the South Shore opens up as there are so many scenic rides waiting to be enjoyed.
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Permalink Reply by Josh L. on
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A good thing but the whole current process of bring bikes on Metra seems awkward. Strapping the bike to a seat..inconveniences all involved. I have to ask people to move, remember to bring a strap, etc.
We need something like the racking system that Phoenix has for light rail. Maybe one or two cars on each train could have a small area dedicated for this?
A guy can dream, can't he?
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Decided to ride to the metra station and put my bike on the train since I have things to do after work. This did not turn out well because the conductor would not allow me to board my bike due to it being rush hour even though the train was scheduled to arrive in Chicago before 6:30. After locking my bike and preparing for the next "rush hour" train, I talked to the station agent who agreed that I should have been allowed on. I will be giving Metra a call later on.
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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on
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That just sucks. Let us know what they say.
Not too hip said:Decided to ride to the metra station and put my bike on the train since I have things to do after work. This did not turn out well because the conductor would not allow me to board my bike due to it being rush hour even though the train was scheduled to arrive in Chicago before 6:30. After locking my bike and preparing for the next "rush hour" train, I talked to the station agent who agreed that I should have been allowed on. I will be giving Metra a call later on.
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on
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At any time when I expect large crowds, riding my bike (or putting my bike on a CTA or Pace bus) combined with the red line is a workable option for the far south side.
clp said:Keep in mind that a good fall-back option during the "warning" periods is to use the CTA coupled with Pace buses, which have no warning dates.
All Pace buses have bike racks, are lightly used, and can be linked together in Elgin, Aurora, Joliet, Woodfield, Waukegan and many other transfer points, to provide a transportation alternative far out into the suburbs during weekdays, and on a reduced scale, on weekends.
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