If you were trying to get on a train, and there were already 3 bikes on the rack in the front carriage and three on the back, would you just try to get on anyway? Or would you wait an hour for the next train?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Poll: bikes on borders railway
(9 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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I'd just get on, stand with my bike in the vestibule and try my best to keep out of folks' way.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Yeah, me too. Slightly baffled at guy who just sat back down. Possibly guard told him it was full? Warned him off getting on?
Single digit passengers except for the cyclists.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Would probably just chance it until told otherwise. Apologies for thread drift but the X95/X62 has great bike provision down to the Borders (and past Galashiels all the way to Carlisle in the case of X95)
Posted 2 years ago # -
After having to abandon a previous trip because of cancelled trains, pleased to report that we managed to get 4 bikes on both trains to and from Tweedbank and spent a lovely short break in sunny melrose.
The Trimontium museum is having a family day today (Sunday) if you or your kids might be interested in trying out your trowelling technique. They're digging several trenches in their back-green prior to extending the museum.
https://www.trimontium.co.uk/events/free-family-archaeology-dig/
Yesterday was a members day, but they kindly invited us to join in.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Glad to hear it all went well. My interactions with Borders rail have generally been good. Even had folded tandem in a few times!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Generally on popular linked rail-cycling routes/areas off peak travel will typically see 10% of the passenger count travelling with cycles
This informed the policy position I drew up with CTC in 2004, based on cycle carriages returns for trains, trams & bus/coach services world-wide. This averaged out at c.4% of seated capacity so we proposed 4 spaces per 100 seats 50% dedicated for cycles 50% 'flexible' but with overflow options on 'local trains' of using the door vestibule on opposite side to platforms. The safety case for vestibules was sorted out for trains with no bike spaces, and is still appropriate
Encouraging regular crowd-sourced data we found that typically 10% of the passengers on a 'popular' route were travelling with cycles (on Ardrossan 'boat trains' at this time (3-car 260-seats) loadings were typically 50% of seats (130) with 12-18 cycles). Some Sunday train-assisted rides in London gave amazing figures - 70% of passengers (14 of 20) on a 4-coach 250-seat train (weighing 180Tons)
Working on the layouts for Class 380 and Class 385 I pressed for cycles on wheels, and a space at least 2.4m long (5 tip-up seats) with a direct roll-in from the doors, and on local trains a cut-back draught screen. Extra length (and wheel/bike support) gained by using space behind sloping seat-backs, and from removal of draught screen & door button housings
Perhaps a pilot option with Class 170's operating Borders route can be to permit the door vestibule use as a routine detail, managed by the train crew, so that each 3-coach train can carry around 16 bikes, around 9% of seated capacity, and carry tandems - which do fit
Posted 2 years ago # -
The problem, as I see it, is that one family of 4 throws everything off. We're still probably 10% of passenger groups, but makes cycle use almost impossible. it meant that we, as one group, took up 2/3s of the cycle spaces, and that one bike had to be at the other end of the train. Fine on the way out. On the way back, mean that teenager had to deal with drunken men ... not ideal.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh & PS - Transport Scotland are drawing up the spec for new trains to replace all diesels with hybrid that run electric under wires
Specify a basic 2.4-3m of 'bike space' & tip up seats & more flexible other space on the trains
Posted 2 years ago #
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