Crap respsonse from Connex about bikes on trains.

Vintage

Well great to see the cut and past job from Connex that didn't address any
of the concerns I raised with them over the bike ban on trains in peak hour.

Lets me just say that if its dark in the arvo, the rain hits hard, the
roads are REAL nasty I'm telling the wife to get the train still home with
her bike instead of riding home that night. We will cop any fine they want
to throw at us or action taking as its still better than the worst case
scenario of her on the roads in those conditions. And I trust her skills
on the road, its just all the other nuts I don't trust and see daily.

I take it when the new trains are here we are allowed back on?

Here is the response about the bike scapegoat issue we are facing.

"Thank you for your feedback to Metlink regarding bikes on trains.

During the last two years, patronage has increased by 23% on Connex train
services. Patronage is expected to continue to increase and a number of
steps are being taken to increase the capacity of the train network to
enable more passengers to be carried.

The Victorian government has recently announced an order for 18 new
suburban trains and 22 new V/Locity carriages. However, growing patronage
has meant that a number of difficult operational decisions were required to
maximise the number of passengers that can be carried on peak hour
services. It is expected that the removal of bikes from the most congested
parts of the network during peak hours will enable more passengers to be
carried, providing significant environmental and community benefits.

The restrictions for bikes are highly targeted and only apply to bikes
travelling in the peak direction during peak times. For Connex trains, the
ban only applies to services within Zone 1. Customers will continue to be
able to travel at off-peak times and in the counter peak direction without
restrictions. Similar rules exist in other Australian suburban train
networks, including Brisbane and Perth.

The Victorian Government and the public transport industry strongly support
the use of public transport in conjunction with cycling and regret the need
to restrict bikes from peak hour trains. Public transport users are
encouraged to continue to use bikes in conjunction with public transport by
leaving their bikes at the station at peak times and taking their bikes on
trains during off-peak times. (who wants to leave a good bike at a station
all day, day in day out at the same time each day in most areas?)

Lockers are provided at many Connex and V/Line stations.(Rubbish) Rental
fees for
lockers have been eliminated, with only a refundable deposit now required.
Fees for the carriage of bikes on public transport have been eliminated.
CCTV coverage at stations reduces the chances of theft. Six carriage trains
are now operated on the majority of off-peak services, providing more room
for bikes during the day, at night and on weekends.

The Victorian Government recognises that there is more work to do in
relation to bicycle storage at stations. The Department of Infrastructure
is working with Connex and Bicycle Victoria to implement a bike cage
storage facility at a suburban station as a trial. If successful(100 bikes
NOT stolen) , more bike
cages are likely to be implemented.

Thank you for raising this matter with the Public Transport Division.

Yours sincerely


Adrian Webb
Victorian Fare Policy Manager

DJ

"Vintage" <dontemailme@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:477e25d1$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> Well great to see the cut and past job from Connex that didn't address any
> of the concerns I raised with them over the bike ban on trains in peak
> hour.
>
> Lets me just say that if its dark in the arvo, the rain hits hard, the
> roads are REAL nasty I'm telling the wife to get the train still home with
> her bike instead of riding home that night. We will cop any fine they
> want
> to throw at us or action taking as its still better than the worst case
> scenario of her on the roads in those conditions. And I trust her skills
> on the road, its just all the other nuts I don't trust and see daily.
>
> I take it when the new trains are here we are allowed back on?
>
> Here is the response about the bike scapegoat issue we are facing.
>
> "Thank you for your feedback to Metlink regarding bikes on trains.
>
> During the last two years, patronage has increased by 23% on Connex train
> services. Patronage is expected to continue to increase and a number of
> steps are being taken to increase the capacity of the train network to
> enable more passengers to be carried.
>
> The Victorian government has recently announced an order for 18 new
> suburban trains and 22 new V/Locity carriages. However, growing patronage
> has meant that a number of difficult operational decisions were required
> to
> maximise the number of passengers that can be carried on peak hour
> services. It is expected that the removal of bikes from the most congested
> parts of the network during peak hours will enable more passengers to be
> carried, providing significant environmental and community benefits.
>
> The restrictions for bikes are highly targeted and only apply to bikes
> travelling in the peak direction during peak times. For Connex trains, the
> ban only applies to services within Zone 1. Customers will continue to be
> able to travel at off-peak times and in the counter peak direction without
> restrictions. Similar rules exist in other Australian suburban train
> networks, including Brisbane and Perth.
>
> The Victorian Government and the public transport industry strongly
> support
> the use of public transport in conjunction with cycling and regret the
> need
> to restrict bikes from peak hour trains. Public transport users are
> encouraged to continue to use bikes in conjunction with public transport
> by
> leaving their bikes at the station at peak times and taking their bikes on
> trains during off-peak times. (who wants to leave a good bike at a station
> all day, day in day out at the same time each day in most areas?)
>
> Lockers are provided at many Connex and V/Line stations.(Rubbish) Rental
> fees for
> lockers have been eliminated, with only a refundable deposit now required.
> Fees for the carriage of bikes on public transport have been eliminated.
> CCTV coverage at stations reduces the chances of theft. Six carriage
> trains
> are now operated on the majority of off-peak services, providing more room
> for bikes during the day, at night and on weekends.
>
> The Victorian Government recognises that there is more work to do in
> relation to bicycle storage at stations. The Department of Infrastructure
> is working with Connex and Bicycle Victoria to implement a bike cage
> storage facility at a suburban station as a trial. If successful(100 bikes
> NOT stolen) , more bike
> cages are likely to be implemented.
>
> Thank you for raising this matter with the Public Transport Division.
>
> Yours sincerely
>
>
> Adrian Webb
> Victorian Fare Policy Manager
>
>
>I can understand the issues on both sides, it's the same here in Sydney as
>it's always been regarding bikes in peak hour.I guess it's more in the case
>of trying to cater for the majority of passengers when the patronage is
>growing especially now in times of rising fuel costs.
I know it's frustrating about not allowing you to take your bike on the
train but i gather that in most cases, judging by your post, you only use
the train when the weather turns shit but most times your wife and perhaps
yourself would be commuting on the bike instead of using the train.I guess
it's hard to please all concerned.
Jeez, when does peak time finish in Melb? You stated it's dark and wet so
that tells me at this time of the year it'd have to be around 7.30 to 8pm so
usually peak time in the cities finish at around 7pm so I can't see why you
can't take the bike on at this time of the evening.

Regarding bike parking stations, some stations have got them and some not,
but it might be worth considering at times when the weather is bad to just
have a crappy cheap bike to chain up at the station near home and if it does
get pinched or vandalised, it's not such a big deal and leave the good one
at home for the good days of commuting.

cheers
DJ

ray

Vintage wrote:
> Well great to see the cut and past job from Connex that didn't address any
> of the concerns I raised with them over the bike ban on trains in peak hour.
>
> Lets me just say that if its dark in the arvo, the rain hits hard, the
> roads are REAL nasty I'm telling the wife to get the train still home with
> her bike instead of riding home that night. We will cop any fine they want
> to throw at us or action taking as its still better than the worst case
> scenario of her on the roads in those conditions. And I trust her skills
> on the road, its just all the other nuts I don't trust and see daily.
>
> I take it when the new trains are here we are allowed back on?
>
> ,Snip for space reasons>
>
>
>
No, having established the precedent, it will stay. And it would help if
the service they provide was going to be significantly improved. But
it's not. I live in Ferntree Gully. If you caught the 0733 morning
express to the city in 1969, you'll be doing exactly the same in 2009,
as the timetables haven't changed at all, apart from adding ten minutes
for the City Loop.
Here's a nice figure you can quote:

Average speed Melb suburban train, steam, 1885: 30 k/mh
Average speed Melb suburban train, electric, 2008: 37 k/mh

Which speaks for itself. With some minor exceptions (Glen Waverley and
Westona) the entire heavy rail system dates from prior to the 1892
economic crash.
The trains themselves are quite capable of cruising at 115 k/mh.
However, Apart from Watergardens, Pakenham and parts of Werribee, the
trains are normally restricted to 80-100 k/mh due to the indifferent
state of the tracks, hence the average above. Which for Sydneysiders, is
a full 10 k/mh slower than the CityRail equivalent.
The entire system essentially needs rebuilding from the tracks up. But
as one former MP put it recently: `Opening new lines is sexy. Upgrading
existing ones is not'. So this comes down to the egos of politicians,
and on that one we've lost.
Cheers,
Ray

Vintage

Well I ride no matter the weather as being a courier toughens you up to the
elements. But yeah even though she rides everyday its nice to have the
option to use on the occasions its not so nice out there etc.

And the new rules are different for every trainline. Its not a starting
time for your journey, its what time the train gets into Flinders st in the
city. Any train that gets into town by 7am-9am is out of bounds. Same too
any train that leaves town from 4pm-7pm.

Basically anyone wanting to work 9-5 and use a bike is excluded.

As for the darkness I was mainly referring to winter where here it can get
black and dark at 3pm in the arvo LOL

And locking bikes up here is like Snake on the Simpsons, no matter what it
is if its chained up they'll try to take it.

I've got mates that get the train in after riding from South Morang to
Epping station for instance so they can ride all day in town for work.
These new rules mean a LONG day in the saddle with them HAVING to commute
from South Morang into town, ride all day and THEN ride home most likely
into a northerly at this time of the year pretty buggered.


> >I can understand the issues on both sides, it's the same here in Sydney
as
> >it's always been regarding bikes in peak hour.I guess it's more in the
case
> >of trying to cater for the majority of passengers when the patronage is
> >growing especially now in times of rising fuel costs.
> I know it's frustrating about not allowing you to take your bike on the
> train but i gather that in most cases, judging by your post, you only use
> the train when the weather turns shit but most times your wife and perhaps
> yourself would be commuting on the bike instead of using the train.I guess
> it's hard to please all concerned.
> Jeez, when does peak time finish in Melb? You stated it's dark and wet so
> that tells me at this time of the year it'd have to be around 7.30 to 8pm
so
> usually peak time in the cities finish at around 7pm so I can't see why
you
> can't take the bike on at this time of the evening.
>
> Regarding bike parking stations, some stations have got them and some not,
> but it might be worth considering at times when the weather is bad to just
> have a crappy cheap bike to chain up at the station near home and if it
does
> get pinched or vandalised, it's not such a big deal and leave the good one
> at home for the good days of commuting.
>
> cheers
> DJ
>
>

PeteSig

"DJ" wrote:

> I know it's frustrating about not allowing you to take your bike on the
> train but i gather that in most cases, judging by your post, you only use
> the train when the weather turns shit but most times your wife and perhaps
> yourself would be commuting on the bike instead of using the train.I guess
> it's hard to please all concerned.

So it's ok to shaft the occasional PT user?

> Jeez, when does peak time finish in Melb? You stated it's dark and wet so
> that tells me at this time of the year it'd have to be around 7.30 to 8pm
> so usually peak time in the cities finish at around 7pm so I can't see why
> you can't take the bike on at this time of the evening.

Winter in Melbourne is cold and wet at 5.30pm. As far as I know this ban
will continue, indefinitely.

--
Cheers
Peter

~~~ ~ _@
~~ ~ _- \,
~~ (*)/ (*)

DJ

"PeteSig" <petesig@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:LbBfj.31663$CN4.1062@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "DJ" wrote:
>
>> I know it's frustrating about not allowing you to take your bike on the
>> train but i gather that in most cases, judging by your post, you only use
>> the train when the weather turns shit but most times your wife and
>> perhaps yourself would be commuting on the bike instead of using the
>> train.I guess it's hard to please all concerned.
>
> So it's ok to shaft the occasional PT user?

Well no it's not ok but understandable to make restrictions at certain peak
times due to possible risk to other commuters.
Say you weren't a bike rider, and your travelling in a fairly packed
carriage and someone gets on the train with a wet bike with some mud
splashed up the side of it or just dirty water from the roads, rubbed up
against your suit or workclothes, or worse still, you get scraped along the
leg with a sharp end of a pedal or chainwheel or it rips your suit leg to
peices, just because the bike was in the carriage, no fault to anyone but
all it takes is a jerk from a sudden stop to send standing passengers
scurrying to get balance.
It's like on a bus, at no time are bicycles allowed on a bus due to the
tight confines of that type of vehicle.
Prams are another pain in the arse,but unlike bicycles, don't have the sharp
peices to rip you open and that's the only reason they restrict bikes at
these times plus the fact that for every bike on the train, they can fit 2
more people.
It doesn't seem fair I know but I've seen it happen where an elderly gent
accidently stepped back due to the braking of the train and he was left with
a nice peice out of his right leg after it came into contact with a
chainwheel.

>
>> Jeez, when does peak time finish in Melb? You stated it's dark and wet so
>> that tells me at this time of the year it'd have to be around 7.30 to 8pm
>> so usually peak time in the cities finish at around 7pm so I can't see
>> why you can't take the bike on at this time of the evening.
>
> Winter in Melbourne is cold and wet at 5.30pm. As far as I know this ban
> will continue, indefinitely.

In Sydney, Cityrail allows bikes in peak but you must have an childfare
ticket for it to travel but outside peak it's free as well as all weekends.

Well in Vintage's original post, he didn't indicate that he was referring to
winter times so I just took it that he was referring to a very recent
occurance.In summer though, after 7pm and the peak time officially over,then
there'd still be enough daylight. Cheers DJ

>
> --
> Cheers
> Peter
>
> ~~~ ~ _@
> ~~ ~ _- \,
> ~~ (*)/ (*)
>
>

DJ

"Vintage" <dontemailme@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:477e25d1$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> Well great to see the cut and past job from Connex that didn't address any
> of the concerns I raised with them over the bike ban on trains in peak
> hour.
>
> Lets me just say that if its dark in the arvo, the rain hits hard, the
> roads are REAL nasty I'm telling the wife to get the train still home with
> her bike instead of riding home that night. We will cop any fine they
> want
> to throw at us or action taking as its still better than the worst case
> scenario of her on the roads in those conditions. And I trust her skills
> on the road, its just all the other nuts I don't trust and see daily.
>
> I take it when the new trains are here we are allowed back on?
>
> Here is the response about the bike scapegoat issue we are facing.
>
> "Thank you for your feedback to Metlink regarding bikes on trains.
>
> During the last two years, patronage has increased by 23% on Connex train
> services. Patronage is expected to continue to increase and a number of
> steps are being taken to increase the capacity of the train network to
> enable more passengers to be carried.
>
> The Victorian government has recently announced an order for 18 new
> suburban trains and 22 new V/Locity carriages. However, growing patronage
> has meant that a number of difficult operational decisions were required
> to
> maximise the number of passengers that can be carried on peak hour
> services. It is expected that the removal of bikes from the most congested
> parts of the network during peak hours will enable more passengers to be
> carried, providing significant environmental and community benefits.
>
> The restrictions for bikes are highly targeted and only apply to bikes
> travelling in the peak direction during peak times. For Connex trains, the
> ban only applies to services within Zone 1. Customers will continue to be
> able to travel at off-peak times and in the counter peak direction without
> restrictions. Similar rules exist in other Australian suburban train
> networks, including Brisbane and Perth.
>
> The Victorian Government and the public transport industry strongly
> support
> the use of public transport in conjunction with cycling and regret the
> need
> to restrict bikes from peak hour trains. Public transport users are
> encouraged to continue to use bikes in conjunction with public transport
> by
> leaving their bikes at the station at peak times and taking their bikes on
> trains during off-peak times. (who wants to leave a good bike at a station
> all day, day in day out at the same time each day in most areas?)
>
> Lockers are provided at many Connex and V/Line stations.(Rubbish) Rental
> fees for
> lockers have been eliminated, with only a refundable deposit now required.
> Fees for the carriage of bikes on public transport have been eliminated.
> CCTV coverage at stations reduces the chances of theft. Six carriage
> trains
> are now operated on the majority of off-peak services, providing more room
> for bikes during the day, at night and on weekends.
>
> The Victorian Government recognises that there is more work to do in
> relation to bicycle storage at stations. The Department of Infrastructure
> is working with Connex and Bicycle Victoria to implement a bike cage
> storage facility at a suburban station as a trial. If successful(100 bikes
> NOT stolen) , more bike
> cages are likely to be implemented.
>
> Thank you for raising this matter with the Public Transport Division.
>
> Yours sincerely
>
>
> Adrian Webb
> Victorian Fare Policy Manager
>
>
>I wonder if all rail organisations just made half of one carriage on every
>peak train into a bike carrying section and anyone could take their bike on
>the trains as long as they only used that section, say for example a middle
>carriage so that it doesn't matter which end of the train is driven from,
>the bike section would always be in the middle and cyclist will know where
>to stand for it.How many people would make use of it on a regular basis for
>that purpose of bike and rail commuting?
It would be relatively cheap to alter some carriages compared to building
purpose made ones but it was just an idea that came into my head prompted by
this post. If you think it's a stupid idea...ok well and good i s;pose!!

One of the main problems in the modern cities and communites, the demand for
special rail priveldges plus the major problems with OH&S and insurance
liabilities, it's becomming increasingly difficult and expensive to cater
for all of the many kinds of individuals that need to get around.

Maybe one day (in dreamtime) we will get a pollie to take the guantlet and
run with it.
Clover Moore, the Sydney Lord Mayor is a keen cyclist and is trying her best
to make Sydney more cycle friendly but has certain oppositions from the
State heirachy. I hope she succeeds eventually but like anyone with new
fresh ideas, they eventually get railroaded.

Cheers

DJ

Resound

"Vintage" <dontemailme@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:477ec11a$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> Well I ride no matter the weather as being a courier toughens you up to
> the
> elements. But yeah even though she rides everyday its nice to have the
> option to use on the occasions its not so nice out there etc.
>
> And the new rules are different for every trainline. Its not a starting
> time for your journey, its what time the train gets into Flinders st in
> the
> city. Any train that gets into town by 7am-9am is out of bounds. Same
> too
> any train that leaves town from 4pm-7pm.
>
> Basically anyone wanting to work 9-5 and use a bike is excluded.
>
> As for the darkness I was mainly referring to winter where here it can get
> black and dark at 3pm in the arvo LOL
>
> And locking bikes up here is like Snake on the Simpsons, no matter what
> it
> is if its chained up they'll try to take it.
>
> I've got mates that get the train in after riding from South Morang to
> Epping station for instance so they can ride all day in town for work.
> These new rules mean a LONG day in the saddle with them HAVING to commute
> from South Morang into town, ride all day and THEN ride home most likely
> into a northerly at this time of the year pretty buggered.
>
>
>> >I can understand the issues on both sides, it's the same here in Sydney
> as
>> >it's always been regarding bikes in peak hour.I guess it's more in the
> case
>> >of trying to cater for the majority of passengers when the patronage is
>> >growing especially now in times of rising fuel costs.
>> I know it's frustrating about not allowing you to take your bike on the
>> train but i gather that in most cases, judging by your post, you only use
>> the train when the weather turns shit but most times your wife and
>> perhaps
>> yourself would be commuting on the bike instead of using the train.I
>> guess
>> it's hard to please all concerned.
>> Jeez, when does peak time finish in Melb? You stated it's dark and wet so
>> that tells me at this time of the year it'd have to be around 7.30 to 8pm
> so
>> usually peak time in the cities finish at around 7pm so I can't see why
> you
>> can't take the bike on at this time of the evening.
>>
>> Regarding bike parking stations, some stations have got them and some
>> not,
>> but it might be worth considering at times when the weather is bad to
>> just
>> have a crappy cheap bike to chain up at the station near home and if it
> does
>> get pinched or vandalised, it's not such a big deal and leave the good
>> one
>> at home for the good days of commuting.
>>
>> cheers
>> DJ
>>

It's actually 4-6pm according to a sign I saw (I think it was at Parliament
station). I thought it was 7pm as well so I hung around in the city on
Thursday reading and sipping a beer an hour longer than I had to. Not tragic
in that case.

Boostland

"Vintage" <dontemailme@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:477e25d1$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> Well great to see the cut and past job from Connex that didn't address any
> of the concerns I raised with them over the bike ban on trains in peak
> hour.
>
> Lets me just say that if its dark in the arvo, the rain hits hard, the
> roads are REAL nasty I'm telling the wife to get the train still home with
> her bike instead of riding home that night. We will cop any fine they
> want
> to throw at us or action taking as its still better than the worst case
> scenario of her on the roads in those conditions. And I trust her skills
> on the road, its just all the other nuts I don't trust and see daily.
>
> I take it when the new trains are here we are allowed back on?
>
> Here is the response about the bike scapegoat issue we are facing.
>
> "Thank you for your feedback to Metlink regarding bikes on trains.
>
> During the last two years, patronage has increased by 23% on Connex train
> services. Patronage is expected to continue to increase and a number of
> steps are being taken to increase the capacity of the train network to
> enable more passengers to be carried.
>
> The Victorian government has recently announced an order for 18 new
> suburban trains and 22 new V/Locity carriages. However, growing patronage
> has meant that a number of difficult operational decisions were required
> to
> maximise the number of passengers that can be carried on peak hour
> services. It is expected that the removal of bikes from the most congested
> parts of the network during peak hours will enable more passengers to be
> carried, providing significant environmental and community benefits.
>
> The restrictions for bikes are highly targeted and only apply to bikes
> travelling in the peak direction during peak times. For Connex trains, the
> ban only applies to services within Zone 1. Customers will continue to be
> able to travel at off-peak times and in the counter peak direction without
> restrictions. Similar rules exist in other Australian suburban train
> networks, including Brisbane and Perth.
>
> The Victorian Government and the public transport industry strongly
> support
> the use of public transport in conjunction with cycling and regret the
> need
> to restrict bikes from peak hour trains. Public transport users are
> encouraged to continue to use bikes in conjunction with public transport
> by
> leaving their bikes at the station at peak times and taking their bikes on
> trains during off-peak times. (who wants to leave a good bike at a station
> all day, day in day out at the same time each day in most areas?)
>
> Lockers are provided at many Connex and V/Line stations.(Rubbish) Rental
> fees for
> lockers have been eliminated, with only a refundable deposit now required.
> Fees for the carriage of bikes on public transport have been eliminated.
> CCTV coverage at stations reduces the chances of theft. Six carriage
> trains
> are now operated on the majority of off-peak services, providing more room
> for bikes during the day, at night and on weekends.
>
> The Victorian Government recognises that there is more work to do in
> relation to bicycle storage at stations. The Department of Infrastructure
> is working with Connex and Bicycle Victoria to implement a bike cage
> storage facility at a suburban station as a trial. If successful(100 bikes
> NOT stolen) , more bike
> cages are likely to be implemented.
>
> Thank you for raising this matter with the Public Transport Division.
>
> Yours sincerely
>
>
> Adrian Webb
> Victorian Fare Policy Manager
>
>
>

What about folding bikes that pack into the size of a suit case are these
banned as well ?

If not riders that are affected by this might want to think about the
folding options.

AndrewJ

On Jan 5, 4:00 pm, "Boostland" <Boostl...@kooragangcycling.asn.au>
wrote:
> "Vintage" <dontemai...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:477e25d1$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
>
>
>
> > Well great to see the cut and past job from Connex that didn't address any
> > of the concerns I raised with them over the bike ban on trains in peak
> > hour.
>
> > Lets me just say that if its dark in the arvo, the rain hits hard, the
> > roads are REAL nasty I'm telling the wife to get the train still home with
> > her bike instead of riding home that night. We will cop any fine they
> > want
> > to throw at us or action taking as its still better than the worst case
> > scenario of her on the roads in those conditions. And I trust her skills
> > on the road, its just all the other nuts I don't trust and see daily.
>
> > I take it when the new trains are here we are allowed back on?
>
> > Here is the response about the bike scapegoat issue we are facing.
>
> > "Thank you for your feedback to Metlink regarding bikes on trains.
>
> > During the last two years, patronage has increased by 23% on Connex train
> > services. Patronage is expected to continue to increase and a number of
> > steps are being taken to increase the capacity of the train network to
> > enable more passengers to be carried.
>
> > The Victorian government has recently announced an order for 18 new
> > suburban trains and 22 new V/Locity carriages. However, growing patronage
> > has meant that a number of difficult operational decisions were required
> > to
> > maximise the number of passengers that can be carried on peak hour
> > services. It is expected that the removal of bikes from the most congested
> > parts of the network during peak hours will enable more passengers to be
> > carried, providing significant environmental and community benefits.
>
> > The restrictions for bikes are highly targeted and only apply to bikes
> > travelling in the peak direction during peak times. For Connex trains, the
> > ban only applies to services within Zone 1. Customers will continue to be
> > able to travel at off-peak times and in the counter peak direction without
> > restrictions. Similar rules exist in other Australian suburban train
> > networks, including Brisbane and Perth.
>
> > The Victorian Government and the public transport industry strongly
> > support
> > the use of public transport in conjunction with cycling and regret the
> > need
> > to restrict bikes from peak hour trains. Public transport users are
> > encouraged to continue to use bikes in conjunction with public transport
> > by
> > leaving their bikes at the station at peak times and taking their bikes on
> > trains during off-peak times. (who wants to leave a good bike at a station
> > all day, day in day out at the same time each day in most areas?)
>
> > Lockers are provided at many Connex and V/Line stations.(Rubbish) Rental
> > fees for
> > lockers have been eliminated, with only a refundable deposit now required.
> > Fees for the carriage of bikes on public transport have been eliminated.
> > CCTV coverage at stations reduces the chances of theft. Six carriage
> > trains
> > are now operated on the majority of off-peak services, providing more room
> > for bikes during the day, at night and on weekends.
>
> > The Victorian Government recognises that there is more work to do in
> > relation to bicycle storage at stations. The Department of Infrastructure
> > is working with Connex and Bicycle Victoria to implement a bike cage
> > storage facility at a suburban station as a trial. If successful(100 bikes
> > NOT stolen) , more bike
> > cages are likely to be implemented.
>
> > Thank you for raising this matter with the Public Transport Division.
>
> > Yours sincerely
>
> > Adrian Webb
> > Victorian Fare Policy Manager
>
> What about folding bikes that pack into the size of a suit case are these
> banned as well ?
>
> If not riders that are affected by this might want to think about the
> folding options.


In a strange case of unexpected side effects, I've decided to stop
riding Connex as much and instead try and look for
a new path to ride back and from work. I'd given up riding to work as
I was sick of the company of all those wonderful
considerate car drivers.

Whenever I see something that annoys me from Connex, I ask myself: how
can I reduce what I pay to Connex? I figure
if everyone did the same thing then they would go out of business
fairly quickly.

Anyone got experience of riding the Bay bike path to and from
Mordialloc to the city? I tried to find information on ithe current
state, but nothing of substance on bv site. From the google images it
seems ok. Yes, I know it's slow, but I'm
not in a hurry.

PeteSig

"DJ" wrote:
>
> Well no it's not ok but understandable to make restrictions at certain
> peak times due to possible risk to other commuters.

Restrictions start to look like persecution when there are only ever a tiny
number of people who would take a bike on a peak hour train.

> Say you weren't a bike rider, and your travelling in a fairly packed
> carriage and someone gets on the train with a wet bike with some mud
> splashed up the side of it or just dirty water from the roads, rubbed up
> against your suit or workclothes,

And say you had a need to take your bike on a train, and had chosen a
carriage that was not packed full?? And the bike was clean?

> or worse still, you get scraped along the leg with a sharp end of a pedal
> or chainwheel or it rips your suit leg to peices, just because the bike
> was in the carriage,

Some people just lack gross motor skills, I know.

> no fault to anyone but all it takes is a jerk from a sudden stop to send
> standing passengers scurrying to get balance.

One thing all our crap train carriages lack is overhead straps and rails, so
that stops and starts are not such a threat. Why blame the cyclist? We had
plenty of straps and open spaces in the old carriages of the 70s and 80s.

> It's like on a bus, at no time are bicycles allowed on a bus due to the
> tight confines of that type of vehicle.

Yes, but they can be carried on external rails vis. Brisbane and Canberra
buses

> Prams are another pain in the arse,but unlike bicycles, don't have the
> sharp peices to rip you open

!!!!

> and that's the only reason they restrict bikes at these times plus the
> fact that for every bike on the train, they can fit 2 more people.

No, the rail authorities seem to have an innate antipathy to bikes. V-line
is banning bikes on peak country services, despite the fact that NO
additional passenger space will be available as a result (all bikes go into
designated bike luggage areas)

Maybe things are differnet in NSW. You need to get a perspective on
Victoria, where one of the best PT systems in Australia for bike/rail
multimode travel, is being made much less usable... and all by a Labor
government who lay claims to wanting greater sustainability!!!

--
Cheers
Peter

~~~ ~ _@
~~ ~ _- \,
~~ (*)/ (*)

Liz

"Boostland" <Boostland@kooragangcycling.asn.au> wrote in message
news:477f0f0f$0$5448$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.com...
>
> "Vintage" <dontemailme@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:477e25d1$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
>> Well great to see the cut and past job from Connex that didn't address
>> any
>> of the concerns I raised with them over the bike ban on trains in peak
>> hour.
>>
>> Lets me just say that if its dark in the arvo, the rain hits hard, the
>> roads are REAL nasty I'm telling the wife to get the train still home
>> with
>> her bike instead of riding home that night. We will cop any fine they
>> want
>> to throw at us or action taking as its still better than the worst case
>> scenario of her on the roads in those conditions. And I trust her
>> skills
>> on the road, its just all the other nuts I don't trust and see daily.
>>
>> I take it when the new trains are here we are allowed back on?
>>
>> Here is the response about the bike scapegoat issue we are facing.
>>
>> "Thank you for your feedback to Metlink regarding bikes on trains.
>>
>> During the last two years, patronage has increased by 23% on Connex train
>> services. Patronage is expected to continue to increase and a number of
>> steps are being taken to increase the capacity of the train network to
>> enable more passengers to be carried.
>>
>> The Victorian government has recently announced an order for 18 new
>> suburban trains and 22 new V/Locity carriages. However, growing patronage
>> has meant that a number of difficult operational decisions were required
>> to
>> maximise the number of passengers that can be carried on peak hour
>> services. It is expected that the removal of bikes from the most
>> congested
>> parts of the network during peak hours will enable more passengers to be
>> carried, providing significant environmental and community benefits.
>>
>> The restrictions for bikes are highly targeted and only apply to bikes
>> travelling in the peak direction during peak times. For Connex trains,
>> the
>> ban only applies to services within Zone 1. Customers will continue to be
>> able to travel at off-peak times and in the counter peak direction
>> without
>> restrictions. Similar rules exist in other Australian suburban train
>> networks, including Brisbane and Perth.
>>
>> The Victorian Government and the public transport industry strongly
>> support
>> the use of public transport in conjunction with cycling and regret the
>> need
>> to restrict bikes from peak hour trains. Public transport users are
>> encouraged to continue to use bikes in conjunction with public transport
>> by
>> leaving their bikes at the station at peak times and taking their bikes
>> on
>> trains during off-peak times. (who wants to leave a good bike at a
>> station
>> all day, day in day out at the same time each day in most areas?)
>>
>> Lockers are provided at many Connex and V/Line stations.(Rubbish) Rental
>> fees for
>> lockers have been eliminated, with only a refundable deposit now
>> required.
>> Fees for the carriage of bikes on public transport have been eliminated.
>> CCTV coverage at stations reduces the chances of theft. Six carriage
>> trains
>> are now operated on the majority of off-peak services, providing more
>> room
>> for bikes during the day, at night and on weekends.
>>
>> The Victorian Government recognises that there is more work to do in
>> relation to bicycle storage at stations. The Department of Infrastructure
>> is working with Connex and Bicycle Victoria to implement a bike cage
>> storage facility at a suburban station as a trial. If successful(100
>> bikes
>> NOT stolen) , more bike
>> cages are likely to be implemented.
>>
>> Thank you for raising this matter with the Public Transport Division.
>>
>> Yours sincerely
>>
>>
>> Adrian Webb
>> Victorian Fare Policy Manager
>>
>>
>>
>
> What about folding bikes that pack into the size of a suit case are these
> banned as well ?
>
> If not riders that are affected by this might want to think about the
> folding options.
>

I don't know about Victoria, but in Sydney there's no special rule and it's
pretty much at the discretion of whatever rail staff you happen to come
across. My husband and I both independantly asked the helpline and both
times the person who answered had to ask their supervisor and came back with
the answer that if you can pick it up and carry it, it counts as luggage (we
didn't point out that you can actually pick up and carry an unfolded bike).
However, one particular ticket seller insisted on my buying an extra ticket
for the bike, despite being told this, pretty much on the grounds of "a
bike's a bike".

Cheers,
Liz

Boostland

"Liz" <liz@chows.com> wrote in message
news:qjWfj.24$421.5@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> "Boostland" <Boostland@kooragangcycling.asn.au> wrote in message
> news:477f0f0f$0$5448$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.com...
>>
>> "Vintage" <dontemailme@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:477e25d1$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
>>> Well great to see the cut and past job from Connex that didn't address
>>> any
>>> of the concerns I raised with them over the bike ban on trains in peak
>>> hour.
>>>
>>> Lets me just say that if its dark in the arvo, the rain hits hard, the
>>> roads are REAL nasty I'm telling the wife to get the train still home
>>> with
>>> her bike instead of riding home that night. We will cop any fine they
>>> want
>>> to throw at us or action taking as its still better than the worst case
>>> scenario of her on the roads in those conditions. And I trust her
>>> skills
>>> on the road, its just all the other nuts I don't trust and see daily.
>>>
>>> I take it when the new trains are here we are allowed back on?
>>>
>>> Here is the response about the bike scapegoat issue we are facing.
>>>
>>> "Thank you for your feedback to Metlink regarding bikes on trains.
>>>
>>> During the last two years, patronage has increased by 23% on Connex
>>> train
>>> services. Patronage is expected to continue to increase and a number of
>>> steps are being taken to increase the capacity of the train network to
>>> enable more passengers to be carried.
>>>
>>> The Victorian government has recently announced an order for 18 new
>>> suburban trains and 22 new V/Locity carriages. However, growing
>>> patronage
>>> has meant that a number of difficult operational decisions were required
>>> to
>>> maximise the number of passengers that can be carried on peak hour
>>> services. It is expected that the removal of bikes from the most
>>> congested
>>> parts of the network during peak hours will enable more passengers to be
>>> carried, providing significant environmental and community benefits.
>>>
>>> The restrictions for bikes are highly targeted and only apply to bikes
>>> travelling in the peak direction during peak times. For Connex trains,
>>> the
>>> ban only applies to services within Zone 1. Customers will continue to
>>> be
>>> able to travel at off-peak times and in the counter peak direction
>>> without
>>> restrictions. Similar rules exist in other Australian suburban train
>>> networks, including Brisbane and Perth.
>>>
>>> The Victorian Government and the public transport industry strongly
>>> support
>>> the use of public transport in conjunction with cycling and regret the
>>> need
>>> to restrict bikes from peak hour trains. Public transport users are
>>> encouraged to continue to use bikes in conjunction with public transport
>>> by
>>> leaving their bikes at the station at peak times and taking their bikes
>>> on
>>> trains during off-peak times. (who wants to leave a good bike at a
>>> station
>>> all day, day in day out at the same time each day in most areas?)
>>>
>>> Lockers are provided at many Connex and V/Line stations.(Rubbish) Rental
>>> fees for
>>> lockers have been eliminated, with only a refundable deposit now
>>> required.
>>> Fees for the carriage of bikes on public transport have been eliminated.
>>> CCTV coverage at stations reduces the chances of theft. Six carriage
>>> trains
>>> are now operated on the majority of off-peak services, providing more
>>> room
>>> for bikes during the day, at night and on weekends.
>>>
>>> The Victorian Government recognises that there is more work to do in
>>> relation to bicycle storage at stations. The Department of
>>> Infrastructure
>>> is working with Connex and Bicycle Victoria to implement a bike cage
>>> storage facility at a suburban station as a trial. If successful(100
>>> bikes
>>> NOT stolen) , more bike
>>> cages are likely to be implemented.
>>>
>>> Thank you for raising this matter with the Public Transport Division.
>>>
>>> Yours sincerely
>>>
>>>
>>> Adrian Webb
>>> Victorian Fare Policy Manager
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> What about folding bikes that pack into the size of a suit case are these
>> banned as well ?
>>
>> If not riders that are affected by this might want to think about the
>> folding options.
>>
>
> I don't know about Victoria, but in Sydney there's no special rule and
> it's pretty much at the discretion of whatever rail staff you happen to
> come across. My husband and I both independantly asked the helpline and
> both times the person who answered had to ask their supervisor and came
> back with the answer that if you can pick it up and carry it, it counts as
> luggage (we didn't point out that you can actually pick up and carry an
> unfolded bike). However, one particular ticket seller insisted on my
> buying an extra ticket for the bike, despite being told this, pretty much
> on the grounds of "a bike's a bike".
>
> Cheers,
> Liz
>

Easy to fix put bike in bag or suitcase then it is luggage


Brompton Travel Case
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJJ7zakGLbw


Bike Friday Travel Case that is also a trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYOhcJtxmpg


Bike Friday soft bag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eUmBfSgU5w

I wonder what they would say to a normal sized bike with wheels removed
inside a large soft bag, might be a way to get around the no bike rule :P
Would have to read the rules about luggage size to confirm.

Zebee Johnstone

In aus.bicycle on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 00:51:23 GMT
PeteSig <petesig@bigpond.com> wrote:
>
> "DJ" wrote:
>>
>> carriage and someone gets on the train with a wet bike with some mud
>> splashed up the side of it or just dirty water from the roads, rubbed up
>> against your suit or workclothes,
>
> And say you had a need to take your bike on a train, and had chosen a
> carriage that was not packed full?? And the bike was clean?

Except that the reason they are banned is because they are full.

Will you have an inspector who will check bikes for cleanliness before
they are allowed on? Will you agree that if there are more than X
people on the train at any one time all cyclists are thrown off at the
next station?

>> or worse still, you get scraped along the leg with a sharp end of a pedal
>> or chainwheel or it rips your suit leg to peices, just because the bike
>> was in the carriage,
>
> Some people just lack gross motor skills, I know.

Some do, yes. Elderly people, those with some varieties of MS, those
with injuries, those with some balance problems, some people with
Downs Syndrome, some people who are tired.

I am unsure why they don't count.

> One thing all our crap train carriages lack is overhead straps and rails, so
> that stops and starts are not such a threat. Why blame the cyclist? We had
> plenty of straps and open spaces in the old carriages of the 70s and 80s.

OPen spaces are usually about lack of people. What's the population
of the city and the numbers using trains now compared to them?

>
>> It's like on a bus, at no time are bicycles allowed on a bus due to the
>> tight confines of that type of vehicle.
>
> Yes, but they can be carried on external rails vis. Brisbane and Canberra
> buses

How many? And how much time does it take to insert and remove?
Should other passengers have to wait?

Zebee