Bikes on One trains

Tony Raven said:

According the the local news on BBC Breakfast One trains are dropping
their charges for bikes on trains and say they are looking at ways of
carrying more bikes on trains.

Whilst One and before that Great Eastern have carried bikes in our area
for free for as long as I can remember, I hope they dont have the genius
idea of taking more seats out of those single car 153 units and putting
more bike space in...those units are full enough as it is!

When they solve the lack of capacity with enough carriages (especially
for the local lines which is what this story is aimed at) then it'll be
time to look at extras

Tony Raven said:

say they are looking at ways of
carrying more bikes on trains.

I'll believe it when I see it. Most trains have space for a couple of
bikes already which would be sufficient if it wasn't used for storing
luggage and if the on train staff were prepared to do something about
this. I've stopped taking my bike any distance on trains since I was
told I couldn't take it because the train was full even though I'd
reserved the space (and paid for it). I then wasn't allowed on the
next train because the bike space was piled high with suitcases.

One of the new trains that Virgin introduced has hooks to hang bikes
from (by a wheel) but the compartment wasn't tall enough to fit my bike
in! Bring back guards' vans.

peter

naked_draughtsman said:

I'll believe it when I see it. Most trains have space for a couple of
bikes already which would be sufficient if it wasn't used for storing
luggage and if the on train staff were prepared to do something about
this. I've stopped taking my bike any distance on trains since I was
told I couldn't take it because the train was full even though I'd
reserved the space (and paid for it). I then wasn't allowed on the
next train because the bike space was piled high with suitcases.

A guard has previously had words with me on a One local service about
not putting my bike in the proper bike area on their 2-car 156 units.

He didn't want to accept the fact that I couldn't use it though because
it was full of babies in prams etc.

Tony Raven said:

According the the local news on BBC Breakfast One trains are dropping
their charges for bikes on trains

As have others.
I hope this does not mean, or lead to, removing the availability of
reservations.
To do so would make it much more chancy to take a bike on the trains as you
then have to take a chance on space being available. This may not be an
option if you have an important timed commitment at the other end.
It may also makes onward conections difficult.

Asside: Quite why a *simple* booking system be managed cometently is beyond
me. I've just come back from 10 days in Holland where it is possible to
book easily and efficiently.

Quoted message said:

and say they are looking at ways of
carrying more bikes on trains.

And pigs may fly.
There may be the odd increase just to show 'willing' and please some
politicians but the main thrust will increasingly become increasing
commuter seat capacity.

John B

I can't afford to travel by train (on this side of the channel at least)
:-((

John B said:

Tony Raven said:

According the the local news on BBC Breakfast One trains are dropping
their charges for bikes on trains

As have others.
I hope this does not mean, or lead to, removing the availability of
reservations.
To do so would make it much more chancy to take a bike on the trains as you
then have to take a chance on space being available.

This would be true if the bike reservation actually guaranteed you a
space. In my experience it's just a meaningless piece of paper.

--
Dave...

dkahn400 said:

John B said:

Tony Raven said:

According the the local news on BBC Breakfast One trains are dropping
their charges for bikes on trains

As have others.
I hope this does not mean, or lead to, removing the availability of
reservations.
To do so would make it much more chancy to take a bike on the trains as you
then have to take a chance on space being available.

This would be true if the bike reservation actually guaranteed you a
space. In my experience it's just a meaningless piece of paper.

You are right and on a few occasions I've suffered the same.
However, IME it is still better than nothing and depends on attitude the guard
(I know it shouldn't).
I've had a guard once turf an unreserved cyclist off a train I had a reservation
for, while others have cleared luggage out of the cycle area. they wouldn't have
done that if I hadn't waved the reservation.

However the growing uncertainty means I now nearly always take the Brommie or
Bike Friday when travelling on trains.

John B

Tony Raven said:

According the the local news on BBC Breakfast One trains are
dropping their charges for bikes on trains and say they are looking
at ways of carrying more bikes on trains.

Where do One operate?

Chris
--
Chris Eilbeck

Chris Eilbeck said:

Where do One operate?

East of England. Services out of Liverpool Street to Colchester/Clacton
Norwich/Stansted and Cambridge. Also local services in East Anglia

Great Eastern said:

Chris Eilbeck said:

Where do One operate?

East of England. Services out of Liverpool Street to
Colchester/Clacton Norwich/Stansted and Cambridge. Also local
services in East Anglia

Ta.

Chris
--
Chris Eilbeck

Dan Gregory said:

I can't afford to travel by train (on this side of the channel at least)
:-((

All transport is a rip-off in the UK - except walking and cycling (OK,
Rapha notebooks can be deemed a rip-off).

We had a some left over Strippenkarts from 2004 for use on buses and trams
for this year's Christmas trip to Holland. We noted an increase in fares of
5% over two years.
Meanwhile bus tickets at home have gone up over 20% in the same timeframe.

In Rip-Off Britain, everything rises more than the politician's inflation
figure.

John B

John B said:

Dan Gregory said:

I can't afford to travel by train (on this side of the channel at least)
:-((

All transport is a rip-off in the UK - except walking and cycling (OK,
Rapha notebooks can be deemed a rip-off).

We had a some left over Strippenkarts from 2004 for use on buses and trams
for this year's Christmas trip to Holland. We noted an increase in fares of
5% over two years.
Meanwhile bus tickets at home have gone up over 20% in the same timeframe.

In Rip-Off Britain, everything rises more than the politician's inflation
figure.

John B

the fare increases for trains do seem rather at odds with the govements
green mutterings, pushing people to fly etc, front page on the indy
today.

roger