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Bikes on Amtrak Downeaster
I know bikes are permitted on the Amtrak "Downeaster" but realy can's find a reference if the bikes can be rolled on or need to be in boxes. Any help appreciated.
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On the Pacific Surfliner out west the baggage car has roll on parking for a "design load" of six bikes, though more will fit. Amtrak requires bike roll on's to state they have a bike when making a reservation. Go to the Amtrak website and look for a bike check-box when reserving a seat. That will be a good indication that they have roll on storage on that train.
EDIT. Yes they do http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=372597 |
Originally Posted by bktourer1
(Post 16637954)
I know bikes are permitted on the Amtrak "Downeaster" but realy can's find a reference if the bikes can be rolled on or need to be in boxes. Any help appreciated.
Originally Posted by BobG
(Post 16555949)
I didn't include that suggestion for the following reason. The Concord Coach Lines bus picks up directly at Logan Airport and goes right to Portland with a stop at Boston's South Station. The Downeaster to Portland is boarded at North Station with possible "roll on" bike service but no checked baggage service. They'd be stranded there between stations unless they put the bikes together and ride over and use the "roll on" service. Might as well stay on the same bus all the way to Portland with no transfers. This, of course, is assuming that James and colleague are indeed flying into Boston.
A fun way to start a trip from Portland ME, see the coast and also connect to ACA routes would be to take the Casco Bay Lines cruise boat from Portland Harbor north to Bailey Island which is connected back to the mainland by road. At Brunswick you're on the Northern Tier/Atlantic Coast Route without having to find a route out of Portland. Yes, this would add a day or two to the trip and if you study the maps you can also connect directly from Portland. Some of the buses continue from Portland on to Brunswick also. Can I bring a bicycle on the bus? Dang! Looks like the Bailey Island cruise ends on Sept 1. Bailey Island Ferry Sailing Schedule - Portland, Maine |
The Downeaster info is kind of hidden on it's own website separate from Amtrak.......
"Bicycles: A limited number of spaces are available to transport bicycles on some Downeaster Trains. Bicycles are handled at Brunswick, Portland, and Boston North Station ONLY. Advanced reservations are required, and a $5.00 service charge applies. Bicycle rentals are available in Portland for $20 per day" On Board Amenities ? Comfortable Travel | Amtrak Downeaster See page 26 of this brochure also.......... http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com/site...de2013_web.pdf The bike info is repeated and also states that there is no checked baggage service, so apparently it's a few roll-on spots only. |
Seeing @BobG 's response I am reminded that I have ridden Amtrak trains with older, single level cars, with no bike spaces. In this case, the bike was put in the baggage car by a conductor who would ask for destination, then instruct me to sit in the car adjacent to baggage. It was not technically treated as baggage, but this was also before Amtrak changed to a less bike friendly policy*, that now requires reserving bike space.
(*this is a reference to my situation since I ride a regional line called Metrolink, that has an agreement with Amtrak allowing Metrolink Month Pass holders to also ride Amtrak, which uses the same rails. About a year ago, Amtrak stopped honoring the agreement in the case of bicycles, requiring all cyclists on Amtrak to buy a separate ticket -$18 one way for me. Now if scheduling requires me to catch Amtrak to get home 30 min earlier, I need to leave the bike at work.) |
Not all Amtrak service requires reservations for a bike.
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I found the info on their site and made my reservation. Thanks for the assists
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