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

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on November 18, 2014 at 7:40am

What line were you riding?

If it was one of the "UP" lines, you must know they are not owned by Metra.

The conductors on the UP Northwest line are not the most knowledgeable. 

I have had issues with a folding bike with those conductors.

Problem is in that the conductor has "Final Say" on the matter.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 18, 2014 at 8:23am

In general, I've encountered more bike resistance on the UP lines than on other lines. Your mileage may vary...
 
Lee Roy said:

What line were you riding?

If it was one of the "UP" lines, you must know they are not owned by Metra.

The conductors on the UP Northwest line are not the most knowledgeable. 

I have had issues with a folding bike with those conductors.

Problem is in that the conductor has "Final Say" on the matter.

Permalink Reply by Not too hip on November 18, 2014 at 8:51am

It was the UP west line. I did call customer service and was told that I should have been allowed to board with the bike and that a report would be made. My train ticket does say Metra and I now have the printed page of the new Metra bicycle policy which I will carry with me. I hope that the "Final Say" will not always be "rush hour".

Permalink Reply by Asper K on November 18, 2014 at 5:06pm

Yay! but..according to their schedule bikes still aren't allowed in the early morning..only those arriving after 9AM as before.   I spot checked aurora and elgin (as these are nice combos with trails).  See the "bikes allowed" line.  I guess they just haven't updated this yet(?) I noticed their main bikes section does say you can go early.  Would certainly be nice.  

Here are the links:

http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/...

http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/...

Permalink Reply by Not too hip on November 18, 2014 at 6:56pm

I think that these pages have not been updated to reflect the new policy which is what all of the train personnel not on my train agreed with.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 19, 2014 at 5:26am
Is this the page you printed? http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/utility_landing/riding_metra/bik...


Not too hip said:

It was the UP west line. I did call customer service and was told that I should have been allowed to board with the bike and that a report would be made. My train ticket does say Metra and I now have the printed page of the new Metra bicycle policy which I will carry with me. I hope that the "Final Say" will not always be "rush hour".

Permalink Reply by Not too hip on November 19, 2014 at 9:23am

That is it. Is there something that I missed?


Julie Hochstadter said:

Is this the page you printed? http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/utility_landing/riding_metra/bik...


Not too hip said:

It was the UP west line. I did call customer service and was told that I should have been allowed to board with the bike and that a report would be made. My train ticket does say Metra and I now have the printed page of the new Metra bicycle policy which I will carry with me. I hope that the "Final Say" will not always be "rush hour".

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 19, 2014 at 10:21am
No that's the one. Just wanted to confirm what has been updated on their site and what hasn't so we can print or show a conductor if needed on our phone.

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