Southern Railway Bicycle policy...

[GrumpyGregry]

I was asked to shift my bike on Saturday so a wheelchair bound passenger could get aboard which I did without a murmur and was happy to do so but reading the rules did make me smile.....

and I quote from here

"Passengers in wheelchairs We want passengers who use wheelchairs to be able to travel with us in the space allocated to them. If you store your ordinary cycle in a space for wheelchairs we may ask you to move to another part of the train." my italics..


Could I argue that since I'm riding a safety bicycle rather than an ordinary cycle this doesn't apply to me?


and surely they mean 'we may ask you to move it to another part of the train' rather than wanting me to move.

 

[tdr1nka]

Railway regs are so well thought out and as clear as mud ain't they?

I took my tandem on a Southeastern train(off peak, don't worry)and it just fits in the cycle space alocated(right outside the toilet with a flip down seat either end of the bike space).
The ticket inspector came along and took a very long look at the bike with a frown on his face, he then turned to me, quite obviously about to say something then shook his head and carried on up the train.
Part of me would love to know what was going thru his mind.

The fact is, there are regs with special regard to tandems as well as bicycles but virtually no train staff know these regs and technically they can ask you to move or even leave a train if they so wish.

Viva Integrated Transport!

 

[Redvers]

The quote is a typical example of the lazy use of language to which English is subjected these days. The railways seem to make a speciality of it.

One recalls a sign on the London Underground which read:

“Dogs must be carried on the escalators”

One guy had missed his train because he had been searching around for half an hour but couldn’t find a dog

 

[ufkacbln]

It also helps to carry a copy of the regs.... Ask exactly why youare being refused carriage when it says in the regs that you are entitled.

 

[upsidedown]

Well it's better that the "Get this bike shifted" that i got when a wheelchair user was getting on the London Midland at Birmingham Snow Hill.
Charming.

 

[BentMikey]

LOL, that's an easy and understandable mistake.

 

[Jezston]

At least you don't have to deal with Trent Barton coaches!

I currently use the train for the central Nottingham -> central Derby part of my commute - used to use the 'Red Arrow' commuter coach as it's start point is closer to my home and the end point is closer to work than the train station, and it's cheaper, and used to get so much crap from the drivers - usually them charging off the coach while there was a queue of customers trying to get on while I'm loading my bike into the storage under the coach, shouting "Oi!!! You can't put bikes there!", and one time the driver just taking off before I could get my bike off to teach me a lesson (before stopping a few meters down the road). I had to carry a printed off email from Trent Barton with them stating I COULD put bikes in the storage of the Red Arrow coach and show that to the driver, but after having to do that EVERY SINGLE TIME I got sick of it and started taking the train instead.

Arriva trains have a policy where you are supposed to 'book' your bike on the train by phoning them at least half an hour before the train leaves and hoping they'll ok it, but having to do that twice a day when you aren't sure exactly what train you will end up catching is ridiculous. Fortunately they don't enforce that rule at all and I've never had any problems from staff. Although they REALLY don't like you riding on the platform!

 

[ianrauk]

I have to say that South Eastern train guards are a breed apart when it comes to the treatment of Cyclists and their bikes. Us Bromley and Lewisham Cyclists obviously use South Eastern on a very regular basis to get into deepest darkest Kent. We have found them to be very helpful indeed. Even when we have had more bikes then really should be allowed.
So a big 'two thumbs fresh' for South Eastern Trains and their excellent guards.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I have to say that South Eastern train guards are a breed apart when it comes to the treatment of Cyclists and their bikes. Us Bromley and Lewisham Cyclists obviously use South Eastern on a very regular basis to get into deepest darkest Kent. We have found them to be very helpful indeed. Even when we have had more bikes then really should be allowed.
So a big 'two thumbs fresh' for South Eastern Trains and their excellent guards.

off peak I'll second that in respect of South Eastern. I've also found South West Trains superbly helpful off peak.

In the Autmn I caught a Southern service to Pompey to go MTB'ing on the IoW. Train was full of bikes. 'Oh carp' I thought. 'Come on, get on' said the guard. 'But there is no room' I replied. 'Them? Ignore them. All Southern Railwaymen off to get pissed for the weekend!'

 

[BentMikey]

I have to say that South Eastern train guards are a breed apart when it comes to the treatment of Cyclists and their bikes. Us Bromley and Lewisham Cyclists obviously use South Eastern on a very regular basis to get into deepest darkest Kent. We have found them to be very helpful indeed. Even when we have had more bikes then really should be allowed.
So a big 'two thumbs fresh' for South Eastern Trains and their excellent guards.

+1 - they really are pretty nice. Once a guard stopped me, he thought my 'bent was a scooter. We had a good laugh about that.

Although I wasn't as popular when I used to sneak on the train still wearing my skates. Oops!

 

[hackbike 666]

You are a naughty gal mikey.