Originally Posted by geo8rge
"Metro North" has complicated rules, basically if the conductor wants your bike off the train they can order it off. If you think you will be on the train when it is crowded I would bring a drop cloth, or even large garbage bag to wrap it in, turning it into a package. In the mornings PATH requires you to fold, and they have cops at the major stations to make sure you do.
My local commuter rail system doesn't allow bikes on rush hour trains. But they are talking about conventional "stiffy" bikes.
If you fold it and put it in a bag, it becomes luggage, and they should have nothing to say about it. I had a talk with my conductor about it once. He said the concern for full-size bikes is just space. But for folding bikes, it is grease, oil, and sharp edges messing up the seats and peoples' clothes. Fair enough. This was before I had a bag for my Kent. He made me move to the back of the train car and told me that I'd need to get a bag for it if I wanted to continue to bring it aboard. So I did, and all was well.