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Most Caltrain trains *don't* accommodate 100 bikes. The minimum on some trains ("bullet trains") is 24 bikes. And, particularly on those trains, Caltrain has a problem with "bumping" -- there are no more bike spots available, so the conductor won't let you on the train. In fact, the problem was so severe that the local advocacy group set up an email address for people to report that they had been bumped. (Happened to me once during rush hour heading into SF from the valley, and had to bicycle 2 miles to the next station to try to get on the next train, which didn't stop at the station where I was bumped.) But the number of bikes allowed per train is being increased.

I need to get to New Carrolton from Arlington VA during rush hour in three weeks. I need a bicycle on the other end, since the office is 4 miles away. As it is now, I plan to ride my folding bike to some station beyond l'Enfant Plaza and then smuggle it on an outbound train. Hmm, do any stations on the Orange Line have an elevator that gets you onto the outbound train platform out of sight of the attendant? (Ballston works great for going out to Vienna.)

by LeslieT on Jul 10, 2012 10:31 am • link • report