Hi,i would like to know ,can i take my Tonaro Bighit on the train ,do they have a special compartment ,so as to saftly store them in transit,i have rang British rail,but got passed about from one person to the next,best wishes Brian.
Taking the train
- Thread starter scarrabri
- Start date
It's an awful problem and there appears no definitive answer. The Rail companies are run by amateurs and barrow boys lining their pockets from tax payer subsidies. They work by confusion, uncertainty and doubt.
When my son was going for university interviews, I went to Kingston station with a list of places he had to go, Newcastle, Wales, all over. We bought a ticket that would cover all of these in consultation with the ticket office.
On his way back from Wales, he showed the ticket to the on train inspector who pronounced it invalid and tried to charge him the full fare - something like £120. My son said he had no money and gave the inspector his name and address.
Then started the letters from the rail company, threatening court action, really nasty. I wrote to them telling them how we had bought the ticket and told them that I would ansdwer no more letters and not pay them anything. If they wished to pursue it, just tell me when the court hearing would be.
I heard no more. Thugs and bully boys, punishing customers for their own uselessness.
When my son was going for university interviews, I went to Kingston station with a list of places he had to go, Newcastle, Wales, all over. We bought a ticket that would cover all of these in consultation with the ticket office.
On his way back from Wales, he showed the ticket to the on train inspector who pronounced it invalid and tried to charge him the full fare - something like £120. My son said he had no money and gave the inspector his name and address.
Then started the letters from the rail company, threatening court action, really nasty. I wrote to them telling them how we had bought the ticket and told them that I would ansdwer no more letters and not pay them anything. If they wished to pursue it, just tell me when the court hearing would be.
I heard no more. Thugs and bully boys, punishing customers for their own uselessness.
Wow what an aweful event that must have been ,it does not supprise me ,they dont seem to care about there customers ,infact i dont think i will bother with ,what is after all a aweful service ,if you could call it that,thanks again for the feed back ,very best wishes Brian.
Most of the train companies have their stance on bikes on trains on the web. But as detailed before it's mainly up to the actual train company.
Most round the midlands are free for full size bikes.
However if you do use a full size bike you'll never get it on with all he people at peak times.
Most London trainlines cost extra for bikes and most only allow fold up bikes for free
Most round the midlands are free for full size bikes.
However if you do use a full size bike you'll never get it on with all he people at peak times.
Most London trainlines cost extra for bikes and most only allow fold up bikes for free
I know from experience that's not true. AFAIK all train companies allow accompanied full-size bikes for free, though there are conditions which relate to rush hour travel, and the rules then do vary from company to company, though in no case is there a cost implication, it's just whether you're allowed on a specific train with your full size bike or not.
It also gets a little tricky of course when trains are crowded at any other time, and especially when they're crowded with would-be cyclists.
You can even take your full-size bike on the tube - the rule then is simply that you must not travel underground. So, for example, the Bakerloo Line (my local) is OK from Harrow to Queen's Park, but that's as far as you can go because the tube goes below ground from that point. You can use the Overground all the way from Watford to Euston though as it does as implied - goes overground!
As far as ebikes are concerned, most train companies don't know they exist, and I've not had any problems in taking my Wisper 905se on trains or the tube.
You can take a folder on any train at any time, and anywhere on the Tube.
Rog.
Sod it, take your chance and if they moan they can stick it.
I'd never even give them a name and address. I hate the jobsworth monkeys. Espcially when you've been honest and brough a ticket for the train.
There are so many people that get caught out becasue the train was late orr circumstances where by the rail company have fudged up and then you'd get charged / fined because you got the train 10 mins later than the one you paid for.
They can all go spin.
Sides they'd never catch you on your bike ;-)
I'd never even give them a name and address. I hate the jobsworth monkeys. Espcially when you've been honest and brough a ticket for the train.
There are so many people that get caught out becasue the train was late orr circumstances where by the rail company have fudged up and then you'd get charged / fined because you got the train 10 mins later than the one you paid for.
They can all go spin.
Sides they'd never catch you on your bike ;-)
I can only speak as I find and as a regular user of Cross Country trains with my Alpino 906 I have never had any problems. Yes, sometimes it gets crowded, but I have always managed the trip. Booking on-line does not appear to allow a bike to be booked in whereas booking at the station does. As a mid 50's asthmatic I endeavour to cover 50 - 80 mile trips but never into the wind! The train route from Coleshill allows trips out as far as Stamford or from Stamford home - all through some lovely countryside
So, MrPScott, are you saying that you actually BOOK your bike in when you buy your ticket at the station and you pay (?) for the bike too?
East Midlands Trains
I have found the East Midlands Trains services excellent here in the East Midlands - comfortable, and generally reliable. The employees are always helpful.
I have taken my Oxygen bike on local services without any need to prebook. On the London services I believe you have to book the bike onto the train you are travelling on, this is simply to ensure they don't have hundreds of bikes on the same train which evidently might cause a problem! You certainly don't have to pay to take the bike.
By the way - who are British Rail?
I have found the East Midlands Trains services excellent here in the East Midlands - comfortable, and generally reliable. The employees are always helpful.
I have taken my Oxygen bike on local services without any need to prebook. On the London services I believe you have to book the bike onto the train you are travelling on, this is simply to ensure they don't have hundreds of bikes on the same train which evidently might cause a problem! You certainly don't have to pay to take the bike.
By the way - who are British Rail?
Oh, for the days when you simply hopped on a train with your bike and took it for granted there would be a place to stash it; either in the carriage if it was off-peak, or in the guard's compartment (and often he'd let you ride along with it), when trains were real trains (and staff weren't jobsworths) and not the profit-centres they are now.
Related Articles
-
MTF Enterprises announces acquisition of EMU Electric Bikes- Started by: Pedelecs
-
Wisper 806T folding bike wins Which? ‘Best Buy’- Started by: Pedelecs
-
Sustrans calls for protected cycle lanes- Started by: Pedelecs
-
Amazon launch their first UK e-cargo micromobility hub- Started by: Pedelecs
